1 


C.  K.  OGDEli 


VOCABULARY, 

OR 

COLLECTION  OF  WORDS  AND  PHRASES 

WHICH    HAVE    BEEN    fttlFPOSED    TO    BE   PECULIAR 
TO  THE 

UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA. 

TO  WHICH  IS  PKEFIXED 

AN   ESSAY 

ON  THE 

TRESENT  STATE  OF  THE  ENGLISH  lANGUAGE 

IN  THE 

UMTED  STATES. 


ORIGINALLY  PUBLISHED  IN  THE  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  AMERICAN  ACAD- 
EMY OF  ARTS  AND  SCIENCES  J  AND  NOW  REPUBLISHED  WITH 
CORRECTIONS  AND   ADDITIONS. 


BY  JOHN  PICKERING. 


ATatJE,  Vt  lATIXE    LOaUAMITR,  VIDENDtJM  EST,  UT  VERBA  EFFERAMUS  EA,  <3l,V3i 
NEMO  JURE  aEPREUE>DAT.       CIC.  DE  ORAT. 


VWVWVxr^ 


BOSTON: 

PUBLISHED  BY  CUMMINGS  AND  HILLIARD,  KG.  1  CORNHILL. 


OAXBRII)G£....UILLIARl>  AM)  METCAIF. 


DISTRICT  OP  :SfASSACHUSETTS. 

District  Cleric's  Office. 

Be  it  remembered,  that  on  the  twenty  ninlli  day  of  May,  A  D  1816,  and 
in  the  forticlli  year  of  the  independence  of  the  United  States  of  America,  John 
Pickering,  Esq.  of  the  said  district,  has  deposited  in  this  office  the  title  of  a 
book,  the  right  v.liereof  he  claims  as  author,  in  the  words  following',  viz  : 

"  A  Vocabulary,  or  colled  ion  of  words  and  phrases  which  have  been  sup- 
posed to  be  peculiar  to  the  United  States  of  America  To  whicii  is  prefixed 
an  Essay  on  the  present  state  of  the  English  language  in  the  United  States. 
Originally  publisiied  in  tlie  Memoirs  of  the  American  Academy  of  Arts  and 
Sciences  ;  and  now  republished  with  coriections  and  additions.  I5y  John 
Pickering.  Atque,  ut  Latine  loquaniur,  videndum  est,  ut  verba  efferamus  ea, 
qu»  nemo  jure  repreiiendat.     Cic.  de  Orat." 

In  conformity  to  the  act  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  enljtlcd"An 
act  for  the  encouragement  of  learning,  by  securing  the  copies  of  ma])s,  charts, 
and  books  to  the  autliors  and  proprietors  of  such  copies,  during  tlie  time.'* 
tlierein  mentioned  ;"  and  also  to  an  act,  entitled  "  An  act  supplementary  to  an 
act,  entitled  an  act  for  ihe  encouragement  of  learning,  by  seciu'ing  the  copies 
of  maps,  charts,  and  books,  to  the  authors  and  proj)rietors  of  such  copies,  du- 
ring the  times  tlieiein  mentioned,  and  extending  the  benefits  thereof  to  the  arts 
(■•f  designings,  cnjfraviujj,  and  etching  historical  and  other  prints." 

1  -nr  T^  I  inc.    ^  Clerk  of  the  district 
.1.  W.  DA\  Is,  <       r  -ir  1 

L    "f -fJiisaiic/iiicetli. 


r  t 


PREFACE. 


The  following  work  contains  the  substance  of  a  Paper 
lately  communicated  by  me  to  the  American  Jicademy  of  JirtS 
and  Sciences,  and  published  in  the  last  volume  of  their  Memoirs. 
Immediately  after  the  publication,  it  was  suggested  to  me  by  some 
of  my  friends,  that,  as  tlie  circulation  of  the  Memoirs,  from  the 
nature  of  the  subjects  usually  discussed  in  them,  was  confined 
to  a  small  class  of  readers,  the  object  of  the  Paper  would  be 
more  fully  answered,  if  it  should  be  published  by  itself.  Permis- 
sion was  accordingly  obtained  for  that  purpose ;  and  the  work  is 
now  submitted  to  the  candour  of  my  countrymen  in  its  present 
form. 

The  Essay,  which  precedes  the  Vocabulary,  remains  in  its 
original  form,  of  a  communication  addressed  to  the  Jicademy  ;  but 
with  some  additions  and  corrections.  Tlie  Vocabulary  has  been 
much  enlarged  and  corrected ;  and  the  whole  may,  in  a  great 
measure,  be  considered  as  a  new  work. 

I  first  began  the  practice  of  occasionally  noting  Americanisms 
and  expressions  of  doubtful  authority  for  my  own  use,  during  my 
residence  in  London  ;  which  was  from  the  close  of  the  year  1799 
to  the  autumn  of  1801.    But  I  liad  never  attempted  to  make  a 


IV 

Collcriion  of  our  prculiaiilios  till  a  fow  years  ago ;  when,  in  cou- 
sot|'UMit  f  of  a  (U-cUIo«l  opinion  of  some  friends,  that  a  uork  ol  the 
kinl  wouM  ho  ^(Mirrallv  acccptahle,  I  hcgan  to  umIucc  into  order 
the  few  materials  I  possessed,  aiul  to  make  such  additions  to  them 
as  my  leisure  v.  ould  permit.  The  present  volume  is  the  result  of 
tl'.at  labour  ;  for  labour  it  may  truly  be  called.  To  those  persons 
indord,  who  have  never  undertaken  to  make  such  a  collection,  and 
to  Investigate,  compare  and  cite  the  numerous  authorities,  which 
a  w(tvk  of  t'lis  nature  demands,  tlie  present  volume  will,  perhaps, 
appeal-  not  U)  have  been  a  very  arduous  task.  But  when  the 
reader  shall  have  examined  it,  and  have  observed  the  various  ci- 
tations, and  the  continual  references  to  dictionaries  and  glossa- 
ries, he  will  be  able  to  furm  some  judgment  of  the  time  and  pains 
it  must  have  cost  me.  These  circumstances,  however,  are  men- 
tioned merely  with  a  view  to  have  just  allowances  made  for  the 
deficiencies,  which  mav  be  obser\-ed  in  the  work.  It  has,  I  am 
sensible,  many  imperfections  ;  of  which  my  own  Americanisms 
may  not  be  the  least ;  and  I  again  ask  the  reader,  as  I  have  done 
in  tlie  Essay^  to  consider  this  merely  as  the  beginning  of  a  work, 
which  can  be  completed  only  by  long  and  accurate  observation. 

In  order,  however,  to  render  this  performance  as  worthy  of 
attention  as  possible,  I  submitted  it  originally  to  several  English 
and  American  friends ;  and  I  cannot  dismiss  it  without  acknowl- 
edging my  obligations  to  them.  Two  of  those  friends,  in  particu- 
lar, English  gentlemen  of  education  (whose  remarks  are  distinguish- 
ed by  the  signatures  mentioned  in  the  course  of  the  work)  have 
strong  claims  upon  me.  One  of  tbcni,  indeed  (1  say  it  with  pain)  is 
now  beyond  the  reach  of  public  applause,  and  of  this  expression  of 
■my  feelings.  That  the  reader,  however,  may  justly  appreciate  thehr 


authority,  I  ought  to  state,  what  they  have  often  observed  to  me, 
that  although  they  were  educated  in  England^  yet  having  resided 
in  ximerica  a  long  time,  (about  twenty  years)  their  ear  had  lost 
much  of  that  sensibility  to  deviations  from  the  pure  English  idi- 
om, which  once  would  have  enabled  them  to  pronounce  with  de- 
cision in  cases  where  they  now  felt  doubts. 

I  shall  detain  the  reader  with  only  a  few  remarks  more  in  re- 
spect to  the  execution  of  the  work  ;  and  these  arise,  in  part,  from 
the  circumstances  under  which  the  present,  like  almost  every 
American  work,  has  been  written. 

It  should  be  recollected,  that  in  this  country  we  can  hardly  be 
said  to  have  any  authors  by  profession.  The  works  we  have  pro- 
duced, have,  for  the  most  part,  been  written  by  men,  who  were 
obliged  to  depend  upon  other  employments  for  their  support ;  and 
who  could  devote  to  literary  pursuits  those  few  moments  only, 
which  their  thirst  for  learning  stimulated  them  to  snatch  from  theii- 
daily  avocations.  Our  writings,  therefore,  though  not  deficient 
in  ability,  yet  too  frequently  want  that  finishing,  as  artists  term 
it,  which  is  to  be  acquired  only  by  long  practice  in  writing,  as 
in  other  arts;  and  this  is  a  defect,  which,  with  scholars  ac- 
customed to  highly-finished  productions,  can  only  be  compensat- 
ed by  an  extraordinary  degree  of  merit  in  the  substance  of  a 
work. 

It  may,  perhaps,  be  thought  by  some  persons,  tliat  I  have  ad- 
mitted words  into  the  Vocabulary,  which  do  not  properly  belong- 
to  it;  particularly,  on  account  of  their  being,  either  Ko^^;ecM/irtr 
to  this  country,  or  mere  vulgarisms.  It  should,  Iiowever,  be  re-- 
collected,  that  I  was  not  making  a  dictionary  of  our  language, 
but  a  glossary  of  provincialisms  ;  that  many  words  would  be  ad 


mittcd  into  such  a  voik  (as  thov  are  in  I'act  by  the  English  glos- 
»ari>ts)  which  would  ho  rojecfrd  Irom  a  dictionary;  and,  that  it 
stMMi\(Ml  (i)  he  nsofid  (as  1  have  ohsorvod  in  the  Essay*)  to  insert 
all  words,  the  le^itimactj  of  which  had  been  questioned ;  in  order^, 
that  thi'ir  claim  to  a  place  in  the  language  might  be  discussed  and 
sotth'd.  AVith  res])ect  to  some  of  these  words  too,  I  may  add; 
that  they  had  been  already  brought  into  notice  by  our  lexicogra- 
phers and  other  w  riters  ;  and,  therefore,  seemed  to  demand  at- 
tention in  this  work.  I  have,  however,  endeavoured  to  state 
such  particulars  under  most  of  the  words,  as,  I  trust,  will  enable 
tlie  reader  to  form  a  just  estimate  of  them;  and,  if  I  have  beea 
successful  in  this  respect,  even  though  some  words  may  be  found 
in  the  collection  which  ought  not  to  be  there,  yet  the  object  of 
the  work  w  ill  be  accomplished. 

In  this  country,  as  is  tlie  case  in  England,  we  have  thirsty  re- 
formers and  presumptuous  sciolists,  who  would  unsettle  the  whole 
of  our  admirable  language  for  the  purpose  of  making  it  conform  to 
their  whimsical  notions  of  propriety.  Some  of  our  corruptions 
have  originated  with  sucli  people.  But  one  of  the  greatest  pests 
of  speech  in  this  country,  as  in  England  also,  (to  use  tlie  words 
of  Dr.  Johnson)  is,  the  "  frequency  of  translation."  Several  of 
the  corruptions,  which  English  critics  have  censured  in  our  writ- 
ings, arc  mere  Gallicisms  ;  and  unless  the  licence  of  translators 
is  checked  (to  adopt  the  language  of  Johnson  again)  their  idleness 
and  ignorance  will  "  reduce  us  to  babble  a  dialect  of  France." 
Every  writer  should  remember  (as  an  English  Review  justly  ob- 
serves) that  "  it  is  his  business  to  use  his  language  as  he  finds  it ; 
and  a  great  part  of  his  skill  lies  in  giving  effect  to  that,  which  in 

•  Sec  the  remarks,  at  p.  19- 


other  hands  might  appeai-  to  disadvantage.  If  one  expression  is 
objectionable,  it  is  liis  task  to  find  another,  that  is  not  so,  to  fill 
his  own  idea,  yet  not  depart  from  the  language  he  employs."* 

Salem  ( Massachusetts  J,  May  S.9,  1816. 
*  Brit,  Crit.  vol.  xxli.  p.  77- 


ESSAY. 


The  preservation  of  the  English  language  in  its  purity 
throughout  the  United  States  is  an  object  deserving  the  at- 
tention of  every  American,  who  is  a  friend  to  the  literature 
and  science  of  his  country.  It  is  in  a  particular  manner 
entitled  to  the  consideration  of  the  Academy ;  for,  though 
subjects,  which  are  usually  ranked  imder  the  head  of  PIuj- 
steal  Science^  were  doubtless  chiefly  in  view  with  the  foun- 
ders of  the  Academy,  yet,  our  language  also,  which  is  to 
be  the  instrument  of  communicating  to  the  public  the  spec- 
ulations and  discoveries  of  our  countrymen,  seems  necessa- 
rily "to  fall  within  the  design  oftlie  institution;"  because, 
unless  that  language  is  well  settled,  and  can  be  read  with 
ease  by  all  to  whom  it  is  addressed,  our  authors  will  write 
and  publish,  certainly  under  many  disadvantages,  though 
perhaps  not  altogether  in  vain. 

It  is  true,  indeed,  that  our  countrymen  may  speak  and 
write  in  a  dialect  of  Englisli,  which  will  be  understood  in 
the  United  States;  but  if  they  are  ambitious  of  having 
their  works  read  by  Englishmen  as  well  as  by  Americans, 
they  mnst  wTite  in  a  language  that  Englishmen  can  read 
with  pleasure.  And  if  for  some  time  to  come  it  should 
not  be  the  lot  of  many  Ameiicans  to  publish  works,  which 
will  be  read  out  of  their  own  countiy,  yet  all,  who  have 
the  least  tincture  of  learning,  will  continue  to  feel  an  ardent 
desire  to  acquaint  themselves  with  Ihiglish  authors.  Let 
us  then  for  a  moment  imagine  the  time  to  have  arrived, 


M) 

wlicii  .liiifricdiis  shall  iu»  loii,;;i'f  Ih'  ablf  to  iiiulerstimd  the 
works  of  Milloii,  Pojif,  Swill.  Addison,  and  otlier  Eng- 
lish authors,  justly  stvlcd  classic,  uitiiout  the  aid  of  a 
tidiisldHon  into  a  Iani;iia.e;c,  that  is  to  bo  called  at  some 
t'litiin'  dav  the  Jlmciican  ton.n^uo !  By  sucli  a  change,  it  is 
tiiie.  our  loss  A\()uld  not  be  so  great  in  works  purely  scien- 
tific, as  in  those  which  are  usually  termed  works  of  taste; 
for  the  obvious  reason,  that  tlie  design  of  the  former  is 
mereh  to  connnunicate  inrorniation,  %\ithout  regard  to  el- 
egance of  language  or  the  force  and  beauty  of  the  sentiments. 
But  the  excellencies  of  works  of  taste  cannot  be  felt  even  in 
the  best  translations; — a  truth,  which,  without  resorting  to 
the  exami)le  of  the  mat( hless  ancients,  will  be  acknowl- 
edged by  cAciy  man,  who  is  acquainted  with  the  admirable 
works  extant  in  various  living  languages.  Nor  is  this  the 
only  view  in  which  a  radical  change  of  language  would 
be  an  evil.  To  say  nothing  of  tlie  facilities  afforded  by  a 
common  language  in  the  ordinaiy  intercourse  of  business, 
it  should  not  be  forgotten,  that  our  religion  and  our  laws 
are  studied  in  the  language  of  the  nation,  from  which  we 
are  descended ;  and,  with  the  loss  of  the  language,  we 
should  finally  suffer  tlie  loss  of  those  peculiar  advantages, 
wliidi  >\e  now  derive  from  the  investigations  of  the  jurists 
and  divines  of  that  country. 

But.  it  is  often  asked  among  us,  do  not  the  people  of 
this  country  now  speak  and  write  the  English  language 
w  ith  jjurity  ?  A  brief  consideration  of  the  subject  will  fur- 
nish a  satisfactory  answer  to  this  question ;  it  will  also 
er.able  us  to  cori-ect  the  erroneous  opinions  entertained  by 
some  Anu  1  u  ans  on  this  point,  and  at  the  same  time  to  de- 
fend our  countrymen  against  the  charge  made  by  some 
English  Vrriters,  of  a  design  to  effect  an  entire  change  in 
the  language. 

As  the  inquiry  before  us  is  a  simple  question  of  fact,  it 


11 

is  to  be  determined,  like  every  other  question  of  this  na- 
ture, by  propel"  evidence.  What  evidence  then  have  we, 
that  tlie  English  hin2;iiage  is  not  spoken  and  wiitten  in  A- 
nierica,  with  the  same  degree  of  purity  that  is  to  be  found 
in  the  writers  and  orators  of  England  ? 

In  the  first  place,  although  it  is  agreed,  that  there  is 
gi'cater  uniformity  of  dialect  throughout  the  United  States 
(in  consequence  of  the  frequent  removals  of  people  from  one 
part  of  our  country  to  another)  than  is  to  be  found  through- 
out England  ;  yet  none  of  our  countrymen,  not  even  those, 
who  arc  the  most  zealous  in  supporting  what  they  imag- 
ine to  be  the  honour  of  the  American  character,  will  con- 
tend, that  we  have  not  in  some  instances  depai-ted  from 
the  standard  of  the  language.  AVe  have  formed  some  nexv 
words  ;  and  to  some  old  ones,  that  are  still  used  in  Eng- 
land, we  have  affixed  new  significations:  while  others, 
Avhicli  have  long  been  obsolete  in  England,  are  still  retained 
in  common  nse  with  us.  If  then,  in  addition  to  these  ac- 
knowledgments of  our  own  countrymen,  we  allow  any 
weight  to  the  opinions  of  Englishmen,  (who  must  be  compe- 
tent judges  in  this  case,)  it  cannot  be  denied,  tliat  we  have 
in  several  instances  deviated  from  the  standard  of  the  lan- 
guage, as  sj)oken  and  written  in  England  at  the  present  day. 
By  this,  however,  I  do  not  mean,  that  so  great  a  deviation 
has  taken  place,  as  to  have  rendered  any  considerable  part 
of  our  language  unintelligible  to  Englishmen;  but  merely, 
that  so  many  corruptions  have  crept  into  our  English,  as 
to  have  become  the  subject  of  much  animadvei'sion  and  re- 
gret with  the  learned  of  Great  Britain.  And  as  we  are 
hardly  aware  of  tlie  opinion  entertained  by  them  of  the  ex- 
tent of  these  corruptions,  it  may  be  useful,  if  it  should 
not  be  very  flattering  to  our  jiride,  to  hear  their  remarks 
on  this  subject  in  their  own  words.  We  shall  find  that 
these  corruptions  are  cen.^ured,  not  by  mere  pretenders 


iii 

lo  Kaniiiii;.  Inii,  (^mi  lar  as  ilic  lad  is  lo  be  ascertained 
iViMii  l\iii;lisli  [iiililications,)  bv  all  tbe  scbolars  of  that 
tiiiiiiti\,  will)  take  an  ijiteivsf  in  Aiueeiean  lileraluiv.  In 
prour  ol"  this,  I  iv(nirs(  tlie  attention  ol' Ibe  Aradeniy  lo  the 
l'n||(t\\iii_i;-  t\lia(ts  IVoni  s^^el■al  of  the  British  Reviews; 
some  of  A\hieh  are  the  most  distingniished  of  the  present 
day,  and  all  of  \\hi(  ii  to.i;rther  may  be  considered  as  ex- 
pressing;  the  .e;eneral  o]»ini(Hi  of  tlie  literary  men  of  Great 
Britain,  \\ho  have  attended  to  this  subject.  That  all  thq 
remarks  are  just,  to  the  ex'ent  in  which  they  will  natu- 
lally  be  understood,  few  of  our  countrymen  will  be  willing; 
to  admit.* 

The  Br  Wish  Critic  (for  February  1810)  in  a  review  of 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Jiaiicroffs  Life  of  SVashini:;ton,  says — *'In 
<*  the  style  we  observe,  with  regret  rather  than  w ith  aston- 
"  ishment,  tlic  inti'oduction  of  several  new  words,  or  old 
"  words  in  a  new  sense ;  a  deviation  from  the  rules  of  the 
*'  En/^lish  languai!;e,  which,  if  it  continues  to  be  practised 
«»  by  good  writers  in  America,  will  introduce  confusion  in- 
•<  to  the  medium  of  intercourse,  and  render  it  a  subject  of 
"  regret  that  the  people  of  that  continent  should  not  have 
''  an  entirely  separate  language  as  well  as  government  of 
"their  o^^n.  Instances  occur  at  almost  every  page;  with- 
"out  pains  in  selecting,  the  fidlowing  may  be  taken  as 
"  specimens,"  &c.  The  Reviewers  then  mention  several 
words,  all  of  which  arc  inserted  in  the  following  Vocabu- 
lary. 

The  same  Reviewers  (in  April  1808)  in  their  account 
of  Chief  Justice  MarshaWs  Life  of  Washington,  have  the 
following  remarks: — "In  the  writings  of  Jinuricans  we 
"  have  often  discovered  deviations  from  the  purity  of  the 
"  English  idioniy  w  hich  we  have  been  more  disposed  to  cen~ 
"sure  than  to  wonder  at.  The  common  speech  of  the  Unit- 
*  Sec  J\'occ  at  the  end  of  tiiis  Essay. 


i3 

*<  cd  States  has  departed  very  considerably  from  the  staij- 
*Mai'd  adopted  in  England,  and  in  this  case  it  is  not  to  be 
« expected  that  writers^  however  cautious,  will  maintain  a 
"strict  purity.  Mr.  Marshall  deviates  occasionally,  but 
<•  not  grossly,"  &c. 

The  Ciitical  Review  (for  September  1809)  in  remarks 
upon  Travels  through  France^  by  Col.  Vinckncij,  says — "  He 

"falls  into  occasional  inaccuracies but  the  instances  are 

"  rare,  and  by  no  means  so  striking  as  we  have  frequent 
*•  occasions  of  remarking  in  most  Amencan  writers.'* 

Tiie  same  Reviewers  (in  July  1S07)  in  speaking  of 
MarshaWs  Life  of  Washington,  have  the  folio v.ing  among 
other  remarks  on  the  style  of  that  work — that  "  it  abounds 
with  many  of  those  idioms  which  prevail  on  the  other  side 
of  the  Atlantic." 

The  Annual  Review  (for  1808)  in  speaking  of  the  same 
w  ork,  after  pointing  out  several  instances  of  false  English 
(in  respect  to  many  of  which,  however,  the  Reviewers  have 
been  misled  by  the  incorrectness  of  the  English  edition  of 
that  work,  as  will  be  seen  in  the  following  Vocabulary,) 
has  the  following  observations  j  which,  if  they  had  been 
made  in  a  manner  somewhat  different,  would  probably 
have  been  more  favourably  received  by  those,  for  whose 
benefit  they  seem  to  be  intended : — "  We  have  been  more 
"  particular  in  noticing  these  faults  in  Mr.  Marshall's  lan- 
««guage,  because  we  are  not  at  all  certain  that  the  Ameii- 
•<  cans  do  not  consider  them  as  beauties ;  and  because  we 
"  wish,  if  possible,  to  stem  that  torrent  of  barbarous  phrase- 
"  ology,  with  w  hich  the  American  w  liters  threaten  to  des- 
"  ti'oy  the  purity  of  the  English  language.'* 

The  Monthly  Reviewers  (in  May  1808)  in  their  account 
of  a  little  work,  entitled  A  Political  Sketch  of  America^  cite 
with  approbation,  tlie  following  passage — "The  national 
"  language  should  be  sedulously  cultivated ;  and  this  is  to  be 


14 

»'  ai  I'oinplisluMl  hy  moans  of  s(  liools.  Tlii«  rirrumstancc; 
•••K'niaiids  paiticiilar  atlrntion,  lor  llic  laii!;;uagc  o( canvei'- 
*'S<ilinn  is  lircom'mj;  iiiconvct ;  and  vwu  in  America  antfiors 
'•air  to  lie  round,  \\ ho  make  nsr  ol' m'W  or  ohsoletv  wnnla, 
»»\\lii(  li  no  i;<)od  writer  in  tliis  country  would  employ." 

The  1-aIciHc  llrvicir  (Cor  August  1813)  in  noticing 
Slx-rtchcs  of  Louisiana,  hij  .Major  J.  Stoddard,  makes  the 
follow  ing  ohsi  rvations  on  the  style  of  thfit  author  and  of  our 
writers  in  general :  "  For  an  American  the  composition 
♦•  is  tolerahh" ;  hiil  the  Major  has  a  good  share  of  those 
••words  and  phrases,  which  his  literary  countrymen  must, 
"however  reluctanliY,  i'elin(|uish  hefoi'e  they  will  rank 
••  w  ith  good  w  riters.  The  standard  is  fixed,  unless  it  were 
«♦  possible  to  consign  to  oblivion  the  assemblage  of  those 
*"  great  authors  on  w  hose  account  the  Americans  themselves 
« are  to  feel  complacency  in  their  language  to  the  latest 
«  ages.'* 

The  Edinburgh  Reriew  (for  October  180+)  which  is  the 
last  I  shall  cite,  has  the  following  general  observations  on 
this  subject : — 

*'If  the  men  of  birth  and  education  in  that  other  Eng- 
"laiid,  which  they  arc  building  up  in  the  West,  will  not 
»<  diligenthj  study  the  great  authors,  who  purified  and  fixed 
"the  language  of  our  common  forefathers,  we  must  soon 
"  lose  the  only  badge,  that  is  still  worn,  of  our  consanguin- 
*<  ity." 

The  same  Reviewers,  in  tlieir  remarks  on  MarshaWs 
and  RammxCs  Lives  of  Washington,  say — 

*'  In  these  volumes  we  have  found  a  great  many  words 
^uuid  7)//m.sr.s  which  £»j^/j.s/<  criticism  refuses  to  acknowl- 
**  edge.  Ameiica  has  tlirow n  off  the  yoke  of  the  British 
"  nation,  but  she  would  do  well  for  some  time,  to  take  the 
*•  laws  of  composition  from  the  Addisons,  the  Swifts  and  the 
"  liobertsons  of  her  ancient  sovereign These   remarks. 


15 

"however,  arc  not  dictated  by  any  paltry  t'eelings  ot'jeal- 
"ousyor  pride.  Wc  glory  in  the  diffusion  of  our  lan- 
*'  guage  over  a  new  world,  where  we  liope  it  is  yet  destined 
« to  collect  new  triumphs ;  and  in  the  brilliant  perspective 
*<  of  American  greatness,  we  see  only  pleasing  images  of 
*«  associated  prosperity  and  glory  of  the  land  in  which  we 
a  live." 

Such  is  the  strong  language  of  British  scholars  on  this 
subject.  And  shall  we  at  once,  without  examination,  as- 
cribe it  wholly  to  prejudice  ?  Should  we  not  by  such  a  has- 
ty decision  expose  oui'selves  to  the  like  imputation?  On  the 
contrary,  should  not  the  opinions  of  such  wi'iters  stimulate 
us  to  inquiry,  that  we  may  ascertain  whether  their  ani- 
madversions are  well  founded  or  not  ?  We  see  the  same 
critics  censure  the  Scotticisms  of  theii'  northern  brethren,  the 
pcculiai'ities  of  the  Irish,  and  the  provincial  corruptions 
of  their  own  English  writers.  We  cannot  therefore  be  so 
wanting  in  liberality  as  to  think,  that,  when  deciding  upon 
the  literary  claims  oi  Americans,  they  are  governed  by  pre- 
judice or  jealousy.  A  suspicion  of  this  sort  should  be  the 
less  readily  entertained,  as  we  acknowledge  that  they  some- 
times do  justice  to  our  countrymen.  The  w  ritings  of  Dr. 
Franklin,  for  example,  have  received  the  highest  praise ; 
and  a  few  other  American  authors  have  been  liberally  com- 
mended by  them.  The  opinions  of  tliese  critics  too  arc 
supported  by  those  of  some  distinguished  men  in  our  own 
country.  Dr.  Franklin  censures,  without  reserve,  '» the 
•*  populai'  errors  several  of  our  own  states  are  continually 
"  falling  into,"  w  ith  respect  to  "  expressions  and  pronunci- 
**  ation."*  Dr.  Wit] ter spoon,  who,  by  having  b*^en  educated 
in  Great  Britain,  and  by  his  subsequcjit  long  I'esidence  in 
the  United  States,  was  peculiarly  well  qualified  to  judge  on 
this  subject,  remarks: — «•!  shall  also  admit,  though  with 

*  See  the  word  Improve  in  llic  following-  Vocabulurv. 


16 

"some  liositalioii.  tlial  t^cutlonion  and  srliolars  in  Great 
«»Hiit;iiii  sixak  as  miu  li  witli  the  vulval"  in  common  cliit 
"chat,  as  pei'sons  of  llie  same  class  do  in  America;  but 
♦'there  is  a  remarkable  difl'erence  in  their  public  and  sol- 
♦Mtiin  discourses.  I  have  heard  in  this  country  inthesen- 
*»  ate,  at  the  bar,  and  from  the  ])ul])it,  and  see  daily  in  dis- 
♦•sertations  from  tlie  press,  errors  in  e;rammar,  impropri- 
*'  eties  and  vuli;arisms,  uliich  hardly  any  person  of  the 
*«  same  class  in  point  of  rank  and  literature  would  have 
«*  fallen  into  in  Great  Britain."* 

"With  these  o])inions  of  such  distinj^uished  writers  before 
OS,  shall  we  entertain  tl»c  illiberal  jealousy  that  justice  is  in- 
tentionally withheld  from  us  by  our  English  brethren  i 
Let  us  rather  imitate  the  example  of  the  learned  and  mod- 
est Camphelh  vho.  though  lie  had  devoted  a  great  part  of 
a  long  life  to  the  study  of  the  English  language,  yet  thought 
it  no  disgrace  to  make  an  apology  foi-  his  stykf  in  the  fol- 
lowing terms:  "  Sensible,"  says  he,  <'ofthe  disadvantages, 
<•  in  point  of  style,  which  my  northern  situation  lays  me 
"under,  I  have  availed  myself  of  every  opportunity  ofbet- 
"ter  information,  in  regard  to  all  those  terms  and  pliras- 
"  es  in  the  version,  [of  the  Gospels]  of  which  I  was  doubt- 
«ful.  I  feel  myself  under  particular  obligations  on  this 
"  account,  to  one  gentleman,  my  valuable  friend  and  col- 
"  league.  Dr.  Beattie,  who,  though  similarly  situated  with 
'•myself,  has  with  greater  success  studied  the  genius  and 
"  idiom  of  our  language ;  and  of  whom  it  is  no  more  than 
"justice  to  add,  that  the  acknowleged  purity  of  his  own 
*<  diction,  is  the  least  of  his  qualifications  as  an  author. 
"  But  if,  notwithstanding  all  the  care  I  have  taken,  I  shall 
"be  found,  in  many  places,  to  need  the  indulgence  of  the 

"  English  reader,  it  will  not  much  surprise  me The  apol- 

"  ogy  wliich  Irenajus,  Bishop  of  Lyons  in  Gaul,  in  the 

*  Drill  (I,  Xo.  V. 


17 

*<  second  century,  makes  for  his  language,  in  a  book  he  pub- 
<*  lished  in  defence  of  religion,  appears  to  me  so  candid,  so 
« modest,  so  sensible,  at  the  same  time  so  apposite  to  my 
<*  own  case,  that  I  cannot  avoid  transcribing  and  adopt- 
"ing  it: — <Non  autem  exquires  a  nobis,  qui  apud  Celtas 
«  commoramur,  et  in  barb  arum  sermonem  plerumque  avo- 
"  camur,  orationis  artem  quani  non  didicimus,  neque  vim 
"  conscriptoris  quam  non  aifectavimus,  neque  ornamcntum 
<«  verborum,  neque  suadelam  quam  nescimus* "* 

Upon  an  impartial  consideration  of  the  subject,  there- 
fore, it  seems  impossible  to  resist  the  conclusion,  that, 
altliougli  the  language  of  the  United  States  has  perhaps, 
changed  less  than  might  have  been  expected,  when  we 
consider  how  many  years  have  elapsed  since  our  ancestors 
brought  it  from  England  ;  yet  it  has  in  so  many  instances 
departed  from  the  English  standard,  that  our  scholars 
should  lose  no  time  in  endeavouring  to  restore  it  to  its  pu^ 
rity,  and  to  prevent  future  corruption. 

This,  it  is  obvious,  is  to  be  effected,  in  the  first  place, 
by  cai'efully  noting  every  unauthorized  word  and  phrase ; 
or  (as  Dr.  Franklin  many  years  ago  recommended,  in  his 
letter  to  Mr.  Webster  on  this  subject,!)  by  "  setting  a  dis- 
countenancing mark**  upon  such  of  them,  as  are  not  render- 
ed indispensably  necessary  by  the  peculiar  circumstances 
of  our  country ;  and,  even  if  we  should  continue  to  have 
a  partiality  for  some  of  those  expressions,  and  should 
choose  to  retain  them,  it  will  always  be  useful  to  know 
them.  By  knowing  exactly  what  peculiar  words  are  in 
use  with  us,  we  should,  among  other  advantages,  have  it 
in  our  power  to  expose  the  calumnies  of  some  prejudiced 
and  ignorant  writers,  who  have  frequently  laid  to  the 
charge  of  our  countrymen  in  general  the  aflfected  words  and 

•  Campbell's  Four  Gospels,  preface,  p.  28. 

■\  See  the  word  Improve  in  the  following  Vocabularji. 


18 

l»lnasi's  of  ;i  [\w  cuiiccidtl  iudiviiliials  i — words  anil  phras- 
es, \\lii(li  arc  jiisil>  the  siil)i(Tl  ol"  as  much  ridinile  in 
.'hnrrira,  as  tliry  arr  in  (rvcal  liritain.  As  a  (general  rule 
als(»,  wr  slioiihl  uinhniliUMlIy  avoid  all  those  words  which 
arc  noticed  hy  Kni:;lish  aiilliors  of  reputation,  as  expres- 
sions with  wliicli  tlicif  arc  unacquainted;  for  although  we 
niii::lit  produce  some  Enj^lish  authority  for  sucli  words,  yet 
liie  very  circuuistance  of  their  heiii.s;  thus  noticed  hy  well 
educated  Ens^lislmie'iu  is  a  proof  that  they  are  not  in  use 
at  this  day  in  England,  and,  of  course,  ought  not  to  he 
used  elsewhere  hy  those  who  would  speak  correct  En- 
glish. 

AVith  a  view  to  this  inijjortant  object  I  have  taken 
some  pains  to  make  a  collection  of  words  and  phrases, 
Nvliich  1  oftVr  to  tUe  Academy,  not  as  a  perfect  list  of  our 
real  oi"  supposed  ])eculiarities  of  language,  but  merely  as 
the  beginning  of  a  work,  wliich  can  be  completed  oiJy  by 
long  and  accurate  observation,  esj)e(ially  of  intelligent  A- 
niericans,  who  shall  have  an  o])portunity  of  residing  in  En- 
gland, and  of  well  educated  Englishmen  who  may  visit  this 
counti'y.  It  has  long  been  the  wish  of  our  schcdars  to  see 
a  work  of  tliis  kind;  but,  though  several  words  have  been 
noticed  by  Dv.  Witberspoon,  Dr.  Franklin,  and  some  oth- 
ers, yet  no  one  seems  to  have  been  willing  to  undertake  the 
laboripus  task  of  making  a  general  collection  of  them.  See- 
ing no  jirospect  of  such  a  Mork,  and  observing,  with  no 
small  degree  of  solicitude,  the  corruptions  which  are  grad- 
ually insinuating  themselves  into  our  language,  I  have 
taken  the  liberty  to  ask  the  attention  of  the  Academy  to  this 
subject,  by  laying  before  them  the  following  Vocabulary; 
a  performance,  wlii(  h  I  am  sensible  is  not  so  worthy  of 
their  notice,  as  it  niight  have  been  made,  had  more  time 
and  ability  been  devoted  to  it. 

In  making  this    Vocabulary,  I  have  resorted  to  all  the 


19 

sources  of  information  in  my  power,  and  have,  under  each 
word,  given  some  autlioiities  for  and  against  the  use  of  it. 
I  have  also  subjoined  to  some  of  the  words,  the  criticisms 
of  Dr.  Franklin,  Dr.  Witlierspoon,  and  other  writers,  at 
large,  in  order  that  the  I'eader  may  avail  himself  of  their 
instructive  observations,  without  tlic  trouble  of  searching 
for  them  through  the  numerous  volumes  of  their  works ; 
and  in  all  cases,  where  any  word  had  been  noticed  by 
English  or  American  writers,  which  I  had  also  myself  ob- 
served, (particularly  during  my  residence  in  England,  where 
my  attention  was  first  directed  to  this  subject,)  I  have  chos- 
en to  give  it  upon  their  authority,  rather  than  my  own. 
Many  words  will  be  found  in  the  collection,  which  are  not 
in  fact  oi'  American  origin,  or  peculiar  to  Americans  ;  but  it 
appeared  to  me  that  it  would  be  useful  to  insert  all  words, 
the  legitimacy  of  which  had  been  questioned,  in  order  that 
their  claim  to  a  place  in  the  language  might  be  discussed 
and  settled.  Several  of  the  words  have  been  obtained  from 
British  Reviews  of  American  publications ;  and  I  may 
here  remark,  how  much  it  is  to  be  regretted,  that  the  re- 
viewers have  not  pointed  out  all  the  instances,  which  have 
come  under  their  notice,  of  our  deviations  from  the  English 
standard.  This  would  have  been  doing  an  essential  ser- 
vice to  our  litei'ature,  and  have  been  tlie  most  effectual 
means  of  accomplishing  what  those  scholars  appear  to  have 
so  much  at  heart — the  preservation  of  the  English  language 
in  its  purity,  wherever  it  is  spoken. 

It  has  been  asserted,  that  we  have  discovered  a  much 
stronger  propensity  than  the  English,  to  add  new  words 
to  the  language ;  and  the  little  animad\ cision,  which,  till 
witliin  a  few  yeais,  such  new-coined  words  have  met  with 
among  us,  seems  to  support  that  opinion.  The  passion  for 
these  senseless  novelties,  however,  has  for  some  time  past 
been  declining.     Our  greatest  danger  now  is,  that  avc  shall 


90 

continue  to  use  antiquatod  words,  which  were  broiiglit 
i(»  (Ills  (dunli y  by  our  loiTfuthors  nearly  two  centuries  ago  ; 
(s.iuie  (>r  which  too  were  at  that  day  provincial  words  in 
Knijlaud)  ;  aiul,  that  we  shall  ailix  a  new  signification  to 
words,  w  hich  are  still  usetl  in  that  country  solely  in  theii* 
original  sense.  »  ords  of  these  descriptions  having  long 
fornu'd  a  pai-t  of  tlie  language,  we  are  not  led  to  examine 
critically  the  authority  on  which  tlieir  different  significa- 
tions rest ;  but  those  which  are  entirely  new,  like  stran- 
gers on  their  first  appearance,  immediately  atti-act  our 
attention,  and  induce  us  to  incpiire  into  their  pretensions  | 
to  the  rank  they  claim.* 

But  it  is  not  enough  for  us  to  note  single  words;  our 
idiom,  it  should  seem,  is  in  some  degree  changed,  and  is  in 
danger  of  still  greater  corruptions.!  At  the  same  time,  there- 

•  The  reader  will  not  infer  from  tliese  remarks,  that  our  right  to 
make  new  words  is  here  meant  to  be  denied.  We,  as  members  of  that 
great  community  or  family  which  speaks  the  English  language,  have 
undoubtedly,  as  well  as  the  other  members,  a  right  to  make  words  and 
to  propose  them  for  adoption  into  our  common  language.  But  unless 
those,  who  arc  tlie  final  arbiters  in  the  case,  that  is,  the  body  of  the 
learned  and  polite  of  this  whole  community,  wherever  they  may  be, 
shall  sanction  such  new  terms,  it  will  be  presumptuous  m  the  authors 
of  them  to  attempt  to  force  them  into  general  use.  We  should  hardly 
be  willing  to  adopt  all  the  words  and  phrases  which  the  people  of 
Scotland,  of  Ireland,  or  of  the  British  Settlements  in  various  parts  of 
the  world,  should  propose  to  make  a  part  of  our  common  language. 
Our  right  however  in  this  respect  is  not  contested  by  the  English  them- 
selves :  See,  for  instance,  the  remark  of  the  British  Critic  on  this  sub- 
ject, under  the  word  Lengthy  in  the  following  Vocabulary. 

•f-  That  a  radical  change  in  the  language  of  a  people,  so  remote 
from  tlie  source  of  it,  as  we  are  from  England,  is  not  an  imaginary  sup- 
po!>ition,  will  be  apparent  from  the  alterations  which  have  taken  place 
among  the  nations  of  Europe;  of  which  no  instance,  perhaps,  is  more 
striking,  tiian  the  gradual  change  and  final  separation  of  the  languages  of 
Spain  and  Portugal,  notwithstanding  the  vicinity  and  frequent  inter- 
course of  the  people  of  those  two  countries. 


31 

lore,  that  we  are  «  setting  a  discoinitcnaiicing  mark"  upon 
unauthorized  words,  wc  should  assiduously  study  the  lan- 
guage of  the  best  authors,  especially  Dryden,  Swift,  and 
Addison  ;  to  the  last  of  whom.  Dr.  Blair,  in  his  Lectures 
on  Rhetoric,  justly  applies  Quintilian's  well-known  remark 
upon  Cicero — that  "to  be  highly  pleased  with  his  man- 
"  ner  of  writing  is  the  criterion  of  a  good  taste  in  English 
a  style — lUe  se  profecisse  sciat  cui  Cicero  valde  placebit ;" 
and  of  whom  Dr.  Johnson  emphatically  says — "  whoever 
«  would  attain  a  good  English  style,  familiar  but  not 
«  coarse,  and  elegant  but  not  ostentatious,  must  give  his 
**  days  and  nights  to  the  volumes  of  Addison."  Dr.  Frank- 
lin, who  in  his  Life  informs  us  that  it  was  one  of  the  great- 
est objects  of  his  ambition  to  write  English  well,  formed 
his  style  upon  that  of  Mdison  ;  and  Franklin  is  one  of  the 
very  few  American  writers,  whose  style  has  satisfied  the 
English  critics.  This  is  the  discipline  to  which  the  most  dis- 
tinguished scholars  of  Great  Britain  have  submitted,  and 
without  which  neither  they  nor  the  scholars  of  our  own 
country,  can  acquire  and  preserve  a  pure  English  style. 
It  is  related  of  IVIr.  Fox,  that  when  speaking  of  his  intend- 
ed History,  he  said,  he  would  "  admit  no  word  into  his  book 
'*for  which  he  had  not  the  authority  of  Dryden,*"^  This 
determination  may  perhaps  seem,  at  first  view,  to  have 
been  dictated  by  too  fastidious  a  taste,  or  an  undue  partial- 
ity for  a  favourite  author ;  but  unquestionably,  a  rule  of 
this  sort,  adopted  in  the  course  of  our  education,  and  ex- 
tended to  a  few  of  the  best  authors,  would  be  the  most 
eflfectual  method  of  acquiring  a  good  English  style.  And 
surely,  if  Fox  found  no  necessity  for  any  other  words  than 
Dryden  had  used,  those  writers  have  little  excuse,  who 
take  the  liberty,  not  only  of  using  all  the  words  they  can 
find  in  the  whole  body  of  English  authors,  ancient  and 

*  Preface  to  his  Ilhfoni  of  James  the  Seeand. 


a  9 

luodoDi,  l»ut  also  of  niakiii.s;  now  lorms  of  tlioir  own  at 
liltasiirr.  Wild  shall  iiavc  a  liijjlil  to  complain  of  scairity, 
will  If  llial  (iistini^uished  orator  found  abundance?  Such 
standard  aiitlior,s,  therefore,  should  he  made  thv foundation 
of  our  Kiizlish :  hut  as  our  Ianj2;ua2;e,  like  all  others,  is 
constantly  thoue,h  shn\ly  chan^inu;,  \ve  should  also,  in  or- 
der to  prrfec  t  our  st>I(\  as  we  adAancc  to  mature  age, 
study  those  authois  of  otir  own  time,  who  have  made  the 
older  writers  their  models.  Every  word  in  the  writincjs 
of  Addison,  is  not  now  in  general  use,  in  England ;  and 
many  words  have  hei  ii  adopted  since  his  time,  and  arc  now 
sanctioned  hy  the  best  a\  riters  of  that  country.  These  writ- 
ers, therefore,  as  well  as  their  illustrious  masters,  ought  to 
be  diligently  irad ;  for  we  shoidd  always  remember,  that 
in  language,  as  in  the  fine  arts,  we  can  only  attain  to 
excellence  by  an  incessant  study  of  the  best  models. 

Mte  to  page  12. 

If  it  should  be  said  that  these  Reviewers  liave  here  more  deference 
paid  to  them,  tlian  is  due  to  anonymous  writers,  it  may  (to  adopt  tlie 
remarks  of  a  learned  English  friend)  be  answered,  "  1.  that  they  are  not 
always  anonymous  ;  2.  that  like  individuals,  tliey  can,  and  do,  make  to 
themselves  a  name ;  3.  tliat  they  are  so  far  corporate,  tliat  if  any  of 
their  writers  habituallj'  give  dissatisfaction  to  tlieir  readers,  they  will 
In  general  be  secretly  reproved,  and,  if  necessary,  be  dismissed  ;  4.  that 
British  authors  themselves  stand  in  some  awe  of  their  tribunal ;  5. 
and  lastly,  tliat  in  cases  of  criticism,  in  consequence  of  tlie  interference 
of  readers  of  all  descriptions,  false  judgments  are  soon  put  down;  so 
that  a  veviervhy  its  very  existence  has  presumptive  evidence  in  its  favour 
as  to  verbal  criticisms.  Besides  if  we  reject  the  authority  of  respec- 
table reviews,  to  what  other  better  tribunal  shall  wc  in  general  resort  ? 

"  Ueviewers,  however,  sometimes  err  in  their  o-um  language,  particu- 
larly by  the  introduction  of  new  words  ;  and  iji  this  respect  we  may 
point  out  the  Edinburgh  and  Annual  Reviews  as  faultv.  "  Heartless- 
ness"  and  many  such  words  occur  in  one  or  other  of  them;  but  rap- 
id eloquence  has  many  faults  forgiven  to  it ;  and  no  words  perhaps  are 
more  frequently  invented  and  admitted,  tliout>h  sometimes  only  for  the 


23 

jTioment,  than  burning'  glowing  words.  But,  in  their  cooler  judgment 
of  tlie  phrases  of  others,  Reviewers  are  commonly  desei-ving  of  res- 
pect ;  as  they  speak  here  pursuant  to  the  experience  and  habits  of  their 
whole  lives,  and  often  obtain  the  opinions  of  others  before  they  publish 
I'heir  own."     ^. 

To  these  remarks  I  will  only  add  tlie  following,  from  an  English 
review  of  high  rank,  wliich  had  been  attacked  by  an  author,  whose 
work  it  had  censured  : 

"  It  is  impossible  (says  the  British  Critic)  not  to  smile  at  the  cant, 
which  one  disappointed  poetaster  catches  from  another  about  Review- 
ers, whom  they  affect  to  represent,  and  possibly  persuade  themselves 
to  suppose,  a  race  of  beings,  with  properties  and  pi'opensities  pecu- 
liar to  themselves,  and  all  hostile  to  literature.  In  the  mean  time  what 
tiave  reviewers  been  in  trutli  ?  By  turns  all  the  literary  men  of  the 
age  in  which  they  lived  : — SmoUet,  Francklin,  Goldsmith,  Johnson,  &c. 
&c.  were  reviewers  in  their  day  ;  and  in  every  age  wlierein  reviews  ai'c 
})ublished,  all  literary  men,  who  are  either  friends  to  the  conductors 
of  the  work,  or  not  too  rich  (whicli  few  such  men  have  ever  been)  to 
lend  their  services  for  profit,  will  be  occasional  reviewers.  Whatever 
Mr.  Kniglit  may  choose  to  think  of  the  prhicipal  conductors  of  the 
British  Critic  (who,  however,  are  neither  ashamed  nor  afraid  to  avow 
their  names,  or  appear  in  competition  with  much  abler  men  than  he  is) 
we  are  proud  to  say  ,that,  besides  the  persons  regularly  employed,  there 
are  few  eminent  scholars,  friendly  in  their  opinions  to  us,  who  have  not 
sometimes  conti-ibuted  their  assistance  to  tliis  review.  Even  the  cen- 
sure of  which  Mr.  Knight  has  complained,  was  not  written  by  a  professed 
reviewer,  but  by  a  scholar  of  great  eminence,  who  kindly  gave  his  pen 
to  the  employment.  Let  such  self-sufficient  authors,  tiierefore,  know, 
tliat  wlien  they  fight  the  air,  and  raise  such  phantoms  of  reviewers, 
they  are,  perhaps,  contending  with  tlie  ablest  scholars  or  critics  of 
the  age."  Review  of  Knight's  I'ros^'Css  of  Civil  Society,  in  the  Brithh 
Critic,  vol.  viii.p.  28-. 


YOCABULATIY. 


Accomplished. 

Dr.  WitUcrspoou  thus  notices  a  peculiar  use 
of  this  word,  which  he  places  among  his  ^'Jlmencan- 
isms ;"  *'  He  is  a  man  of  most  accomplished  abilities. 
A  man  may  be  said  to  be  of  distinguished  abilities,  or 
great  accomplishments,  but  accomplished  abilities  is 
wholly  new."  Wither spoon^s  Druid,  ^o.  7.  No  A- 
merican  at  the  present  day  would  make  use  of  this  ex- 
traordinary expression  :  I  have  never  found  any  per- 
son, who  has  met  with  it  in  any  of  our  publications,  or 
heard  it  in  conversation. 
Accountability.  "A  being  subject  to  answel^  or  ac- 
count for."  Compendious  Dictionanj  of  the  English  Lan- 
guage, by  JYoah  Webster  Esq. 

This  word  is  often  used  by  our  divines  and  other 
writers  ;  but  it  is  not  to  be  found  in  the  English  diction^ 
aries,  nor  do  I  recollect  seeing  it  myself  in  any  En- 
glish publications,  except  some  modern  translations  from 
the  French.  A  learned  English  friend,  however  (to  whom 
I  am  indebted  for  many  valuable  obsei'vations)  remarks, 
that  "  certain  diviues  and  ethical  writers  among  the 
English  have  often  used  this  word ;  and  in  some  in- 
stances it  has  been  used  by  their  politicians."*     None 

*  The    remarks   distingulslK-d  by  the  signature  "A"  througliout 
this  Vocabulary  are  from  tlie  oblis^Lng  correspondent  licre  quoted. 


30 

nl  ilii'  (inliomirifs,  iuiU'ril.  had  llu'  word  accounUibLe- 
ncss,  imlil  Mason  inserted  it  in  his  Supplement  to  John- 
son's l)i(  tiouarv,  where  it  is  tijiven  upon  the  iuithority 
of  Duiicdii's  Logic.  From  Mason's  Avork  it  has  heeii 
a«h)pted  into  the  new  edition  of  Johnson,  by  the  Rev. 
//.  J.  Todd.  I  may  add,  that  thouj^h  tliis  h'arncd 
edilor  lias  admitted  tlie  Avord  accounlablencss,  he  has 
not  inseiled  (iccounfabilifif. 

I'o  Admihe.  To  like  very  much;  to  be  very  fond  of. 
This  verb  is  much  used  in  A'<;w  England  in  express- 
ions like  the  following :  1  should  admire  to  go  to  such 
a  place  ;  I  should  admire  to  have  such  a  thing,  &c. 
It  is  never  thus  used  by  the  English ;  and  among  us 
it  is  conlined  to  the  language  of  conversation. 

To  Advocate.     To  be  an    advocate  for  j  to    defend  j  to 
support. 

Til  is  AVord  has  long  been  used  in  our  legislative 
bodit  s,  and  is  now  adopted  by  most  of  our  writers  : 
"  Some  are  taking  unwearied  pains  to  disparage  the 
motives  of  those  federalists  who  advocate  the  equal  sup- 
port of,"  &c.  Letter  from  Alexander  Hamilton  concerning 
lite  public  conduct  and  character  of  John  Mams  Esq.  p.  1. 
••  1  shall  on  a  future  occasion  examine  impartiall} ,  and 
endeavour  to  ascertain  precisely  the  true  value  of  this  o- 
pinion,  whicli  is  so  \\  ai'mly  advocated  by  all  the  great  or- 
ators of  autir[uity.  Lectures  on  Rhetonc  and  Oratory ;,  by 
the  Hon.  John  ^.  Jidams  ;  \o\.  i.  p.  38.  <«  This  seems  to 
be  a  foreign  and  local  dialect,  and  cannot  be  advocated  by 
any  person  that  understands  correct  English."  IVcb- 
stcfs  Dissertations  on  the  English  Language,  p.  111. 

In  the  former  edition  of  this  Vocabulary  I  consid- 
ered tlie  ^erb  to  advocate  as  a  word  of  American  oi'i- 
gin ;  and  remark'^d,  that,  altliough  it  was  used  by 
Scottish  and  Irish  writers,  I  had  never  met  with  any 


27 

English  authority  for  it.  Until  very  recently  it  has 
certainly  been  ranked  among  dmerkamsmSf  botli  by  the 
English  and  our  own  writers.  In  the  Preface  to  the 
English  edition  of  one  of  our  works  (Dr.  Ramsay's 
History  of  the  Revolution)  which  was  printed  in  the 
year  1793,  it  is  classed  by  the  London  editor  among 
those  "t^niencau"  words,  which  the  English  "have 
altogether  declined  to  countenance,"  as  verbs  "  invent- 
ed without  any  apparent  reason ;"  and  our  countryman. 
Dr.  Franklin,  several  yeai's  ago  pointedly  condemned 
tliis,  among  other  <*  new"  words,  which  had  been  intro- 
duced into  onr  parliamentary  language  during  his 
[then]  late  absence  in  France.*  It  has  however,  been 
discovered  (as  will  be  seen  in  the  following  extract 
from  the  new  edition  of  Johnson's  Dictionary,  by  the 
Rev.  H.  J.  Todd)  that  this  verb  was  used  by  Milton  ; 
and  it  has  been  sanctioned  in  modern  times  by  the 
authority  of  Burke  ;  to  which  we  may  now  add,  that 
of  Mr.  Todd.  As  his  work  is  at  present  rare  in  this 
country,  I  iiave  thought  it  would  be  interesting  to 
most  readers   to  see   his   remarks   on   this  word  at 

large : 

*•  To  Advocate,  r.  a.  [Lat.  advoco,  Fr.  avocas- 
scr.]  To  plead  ;  to  support ;  to  defend.  Mr.  Bou- 
cher has  remarked,  that  thougli  this  verb  has  been 
said  to  be  an  improvement  on  the  English  language, 
whicli  has  been  discovered  by  the  United  States  of 
North  America,  since  their  separation  from  Great 
Britain,  it  is  a  very  common  and  old  Scottish  word ; 
M  hich  indeed  it  is  bntli  as  an  active  and  neuter  verb. 
But  Mr.  Bouclter  has  been  misled  in  this  literary 
concession  which  he  has  made  to  the  Americans; 
for  it  is  also  an  old  English  word,  employed  by  one 

*  Letter  to  Mr.  Webster,  Doc.  26, 1789. 


of  our  linost  ami  mosf  manly  writers ;  and  if  the 
Aniri-i(  aiis  aflt'ct  <o  ijliiinc  tluMiisclves  on  tJiis  pre- 
ttiulctl  iinivox'cninit  of  our  l<nignagef  let  them  as  well 
as  their  abettors  >\i<li(lra\v  the  niilomulnl  claim  to 
disrovery,  in  turnini:;  to  the  |)rose-\\ritini;s  of  Mil- 
ton. In  the  dictionarits  of  the  sixteenth  and  seven- 
teenth renturies,  however,  as  in  the  Latin  of  Thomas, 
the  Sj)auish  of  Minshen,  the  Italian  of  Florio,  and  the 
1^'reiich  of  Cotgrave,  ailvoco,  iidrogar,  axocare,  and 
advocasser,  ai"c  rendered  not  to  advocate^  but  <  to  play 
tlie  advocate.^  <  Whether  this  reflect  not  with  a  con- 
tumely upon  the  ])arlianient  itself,  which  thought  this 
petition  worthy,  not  only  of  receiving,  but  of  voting  to 
a  commitment,  after  it  had  been  advocatedf  and  moved 
for  by  some  honourable  and  learned  gentlemen  of  the 
house,  to  be  called  a  combination  of  libelling  separa- 
tists, and  the  advocates  thereof  to  be  branded  for 
incendiaries;  whether  this  appeach  not  the  judgment 
and  approbation  of  the  parliament  I  leave  to  equal 
arbiters.'  Milton^  Animadversions,^!.  *  This  is  the 
only  thing  distinct  and  sensible  that  has  been  adro- 
cated.*  Burke,  Speech  on  the  Reform  of  Representation." 
Though  this  verb  is  to  be  found  in  Milton,  yet  it 
does  not  appear  to  have  been  in  common  use  in  En- 
gland either  at  the  time  when  he  WTote,  or  since  that 
period.  Burke,  however,  it  seems,  employed  it  in  one 
of  his  speeches  (the  one  above  quoted  by  Mr.  Todd, 
whi( h  was  in  the  year  1782)  and  possibly  on  other  oc- 
casions ;  but  I  do  not  recollect  seeing  it  in  any  of  his 
tuter  writings.  It  has  been  very  recently  adopted  by 
a  few  other  writers,  and  seems  now  to  be  getting  into 
use  in  England  :  <'  But  fi'om  his  want  of  sober-mind- 
edness we  cannot  alwa}s  prove  Ids  earnestness  in  the 
caise  lie  advocated"    D^JsraelVs  Quarrels  of  Jiuthors, 


29 

vol.  i.  p.  12,  not.  Amtr.  edit.  *<It  has  indeed  frcr 
quently  fallen  to  his  lot  to  advocate  the  cause  of  wisdom." 
ParHamentary  Portraits ^  p.  95  ;  and  again  at  pp.  116 
and  144  ;  London  edit.  1815.  A  friend  has  also  given 
nie  the  following  instance  of  it  in  the  title  of  an  En- 
glish publication:  *' Christian  Liberty  adrocafed;"  a 
Discourse  by  Henry  H.  Piper ^  London  1808;  reviewed 
in  the  Monthly  Review,  vol.  lix.  p.  335.  It  is  to  be 
found  occasionally  in  tlie  debates  of  the  British  Par- 
liament (more  particularly  in  the  speeches  of  the  Irish 
members)  as  they  are  reported  in  tlie  newspapers  : 
*'It  was  incumbent  on  them  to  prove  that  no  selfish 
view  to  our  own  colonial  interest  had  actuated  us^ 
while  advocating  the  cause  of  humanity."  Speech  of 
Lord  Castlermghy  in  the  Courier  of  March  20,  1815. 
But  in  parliamentary  language  the  English  have  hith- 
erto commonly  used  the  verb  to  support :  <•  Mr.  W. 
shortly  opposed  the  motion  ',  Mr.  S.  supported  it." 
Debates,  May  4, 1813.  The  verb  to  advocate  is  also  in 
use  with  the  Scottish  reviewers  (see,  for  instance,  tlic 
Edinburgh  Review,  vol.  xiii.  p.  77.)  and  I  liave  very 
lately  met  with  it  hi  an  English  review* :  *'  Dis- 
tinct from  all  considerations  of  the  system  of  leligious 
doctrine  which  he  advocated,*^  &c.  Monthly  Review, 
vol.  Ixxii.  p.  129. 

But  to  return  to  the  extract  from  Mr.  Todd's 
■work.  It  is  there  said,  that  to  advocate  is  a  very  com- 
mon and  old  Scottish  word.  The  word  itself  has  un- 
doubtedly been  long  used  in  Scotland,  but  it  has  been 
used  in  the  technical  sense  which  it  has  in  their  law; 
and  this,  it  need  hardly  be  observed,  is  very  different 
from  the  signification  in  question,  as  will  be  evident 
from  the  authorities  cited  by  Mr.  Boucher  in  the  work 
alluded  to  by  Mr.  Todd.* 
*  As  Mr.  JBoucher^s  work  i^  seldom  to  be  met  with  m  this  countr}« 


30 

I  shall  add  but  one  or  hvo  rrmavks  more  on  (liis  ai- 
tirle.  Ml".  'I'odd  seeins  to  suppose  that  the  Americans 
"uflect  to  plume  themselves  on  this  pretended  improve- 
ment of  our  lansjuai^e;"  and  he  then,  in  a  tone,  which 
the  occasion  seemed  hardly  to  require,  calls  upon  them 
as  well  as  their  *" a'oettorsy'*  to  «« withdraw  their  mi- 
lounded  claim  to  discovery  in  turning  to  the  prose- 
wriliiic^s  ol"  Milton.*'  I  w  *s  not  aware  tliat  the 
Americans  did  '•  plume  themselves"  upon  this  word. 
"We  did,  indeed,  believe  it  to  be  a  word  iwt  in  use 
among  Englishmen,  because  they  themselves  have 
considered  it  as  a  word  invented  by  us,  and  have 
censured  it  as  oiu'  of  tlie  faults  of  our  writers.  The 
truth  is,  too,  that  although  most  Americans  have 
adopted  it,  yet  some  of  our  writers,  who  have  been 
pai-ticularly  attentive  to  their  style,  have  (whether 
tiiere  has  been  any  merit  in  this  or  not,  let  scholars 
judge,)  avoided  using  it.  Nor  would  they  probably 
have  felt  themsflves  warranted  in  employing  this, 
any  more  than  they  w  ould  many  other  ancient  w'ords 

I  here  subjoin  his  authorities  at  large;  with  references  to  one  or  t\\o 
in  another  work  : 

"The  members  of  the  college  of  justice  have  this  privilege,  that 
they  cannot  be  pursued  before  any  inferiour  judge;  and  if  they  be,  the 
lords  will  advocate  the  cause  to  themselves.  Sir  George  Mackenzie's 
T:istitutio7is  of  Lutd,  p.  16.  See  also  Historical  Law  Tracts,  vol.  i.  p, 
J98,  where  it  is  said  to  ha\e  been  ordained  by  an  act,  '  that  causes  be 
not  advocated  hy  the  lords  from  the  judge  ordinary,  except  for  deadly 
feud,  or  where  the  judge  is  a  party,  or  the  causes  of  the  lords  of  ses- 
sion, their  advocates,  scribes  and  members.'  See  also  a  message  from 
Pope  Boniface  the  8th  in  1300,  claiming  [the  kingdom  of  Scotland  to 
the  See  of  Rome;  in  which  he  says,  I  advocate  the  cause,  i.e.  I  will 
determine  between  j  ou  and  myself  Lord  Haile'a  Amuils  of  Scotland 
vol.  i.  p.  267." 

See  also  Rees'f  C;/clop,ediu,  articles,  Advocatiox,  JBill  of,  and  Advo- 
c*,Tioy,  Letters  of;  where  this  verb  is  used  in  the  same  technical  sense. 


31 

(the  word  freshet^   for   example,  which  see)   because 
it  was  to  be  found  in  Milton  or  in  BurkCf  unless  it 
were  also  in  general  use  at  the  present  day  among  En- 
glishmen. 
Alienism.     Alienage. 

The  following  is  tlie  only  instance,  in  which  I 
have  ever  met  with  this  word  in  an  American  work : 
«•  The  prisoner  was  convicted  of  murder  ;  on  his  ar- 
raignment he  suggested  his  alienisuh  which  was  admit- 
ted."    2  Jahnson''s  JVew  York  Reports,  381. 

The  term  alienage  is  common  in  professional  books, 
though  it  is  not  in  the  English  dictionaries:  ">yhere 
he  sues  as  executor  k.c.  the  plaintift's  aUeimge  is  no 
plea."  Lawes*  Pleading  in  Assmnpsitf  p.  687 ;  et 
passim. 

To  AxLOT  (with  the  preposition  upon.^     Ex.  I  allot  upon 
going  to  such  a  place. 

This  verb  is  used  only  in  conversation,  and  that, 
cliieliy  in  the  interior  of  New  England.  But  it  is 
never  heard  among  people  of  education.  Some  use 
the  verb  to  count  upon  in  the  same  manner, 

^0N£. 

This  is  often  heard  from  our  pulpits  in  express- 
ions like  the  following :  Tiie  alone  God ;  the  alone 
motive,  k.c.  Tins  use  of  the  term,  however,  is  not 
exclusively  American.  It  is  to  be  found  in  some  old 
English  writers,  but  is  now  almost  wliolly  obsolete. 
Dr.  Johnson  cites  the  following  instance  from  Bent- 
ley :  "God  by  whose  alone  power  and  conversation 
We  all  live  and  move  and  have  our  being."  I  haA'^o 
also  met  with  an  instance  of  it  in  a  modern  English 
pamphlet  cited  in  one  of  the  reviews  (which,  by  the 
way*  speaks  contemptuously  of  the  work)  and  the 
word  in  question  is  put  in  Italics  by  the  reviewers : 


•<Tlir   liOivislafurc   never    ])reteu(le(l   to  oiniiipotence ; 
tli;vt  is  (he  alone   attribute   of  tlie   people."     Sec  Brit, 
Ciit.  for  March  1797 ;  vol.  ix.  p.  32i.. 
Americ.vxism.     «A   love  of  America  and  preference  of 
hei- interest."     Wchsi.  Diet. 

This  ^vor(l  sometimes  occurs,  in  this  sense,  in  our 
newsprt])ers  as  moII  as  in  conversation.  But  it  was 
coined  by  Dr.  AVitherspoon  (as  he  says)  many  years 
as^o,  to  denote  "  an  use  of  phrases  or  terms,  or  a  con- 
stiurticm  of  sentences, even  anions?  persons  of  rank  and 
education  [in  America]  different  from  the  use  of  the 
same  terms  or  phrases,  or  the  construction  of  similar 
sentences  in  Great  Britain."  In  this  sense  it  is,  as  he 
justly  observes,  "similar  in  its  formation  and  signifi- 
cation to  the  word  Scotticism  ;"  and  it  has  accordingly 
heen  generally  so  used  in  America,  as  well  as  in  Eng- 
land. 

To  Americanize.  *<  To  render  American."  JVebst, 
Did.  I  have  never  met  with  this  verb  in  any  American 
work,  nor  in  conversation. 

Annulment.  Ex.  "  The  annulment  of  the  belligerent 
edicts."  Correspondence  of  the  Secretary  of  State  (Mr. 
Smith  J  and  Mr.  Pinkneif ;  July  5, 1810. 

This  substantiA  e  was  not  to  be  found  in  any  of  the 
Englisli  dictionaries,  till  it  was  admitted  into  Mr. 
Todd's  new  edition  of  Johnson ;  where  it  is  noted,  as 
one  of  the  editor's  additions,  and  is  given,  without  any 
authority,  as  follows  :  "  Annulment,  n.  s.  [Fr.  annnl- 
lement.']  the  act  of  annulling." 

Answer. 

This  term  is  always  used  by  Us  to  signify  tlic 
Reply  of  the  Senate  or  House  of  Representatives  to  tlio 
Speech  of  the  President  (or  of  the  Governor  of  a  state,) 
at  the  opening  of  a  session  of  the  Lc^gislatufe.     In  Eu- 


as 

gland  this  is  always  called,  in  parliamentarif  iaugiiagcv 
the  Address.  This  signification  of  the  term  address 
was  not  noticed  by  Dr.  Johnsoiu  but  it  has  been  addetl 
to  the  new  edition  of  his  Dictionary  by  the  Rev.  Mr, 
Todd. 
An't  ;    for  am  not^  are  not,  and  sometimes  for  is  not. 

"  I  have  been  surprised  (says  Dr.  Witherspoon)  to 
see  some  persons  of  education  and  character  introduce 
the  mere  vulgarisms  of  discoui'se  in  the  pulpit,  or  at  the 
bar ;  such  as,  I  anH,  I  cunHt  I  s/ta/i'/."  Lectures  oil 
Eloquence;  lect.  3. 

These  "  vulgarisms  '*  are  much  less  common  tlian 
they  were  when  Dr.  Withers poon  wrote ;  and  if  our 
clergymen  and  lawyers  sometimes  employ  them  in 
speaking,  they  always  avoid  them  in  their  printed 
works. 
Antagonizing.     Conflicting,  opposing. 

This  word  has  been  censured,  by  an  American  crit- 
ic, in  the  following  passage  of  a  well  known  Amer- 
ican publication. — "Nor  can  I  forbear  to  remai'k 
the  tendency  of  such  antagonizing  appeals."  Letter 
of  the  Hon.  J.  Q.  Adams  to  the  Hon.  H.  G.  Otis. 
This  is  the  only  instance  in  which  I  have  known 
it  to  be  used  in  this  country.  Johnson  has  the 
verb  to  antagonize;  but  his  authority  is  the  Dic- 
tionanes ;  and  he  says  in  his  preface,  that  such 
words  in  his  work  "are  to  be  considered  as  resting 
only  upon  the  credit  of  those  dictionaries."  Mr.  We6- 
ster  has  not  inserted  it  in  his  dictionary. 

ANTirEDERAXIST. 

This  word  was  formed  about  the  year  1788,  to 
denote  a  person  of  the  political  party,  that  opposed 
the  adoption  of  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States, 
wliich  was  then  always  spoken  of  by  the  naine  of  the 

5 


34 

Ffdcml  Constitution.     The  word   is    not  now   nnicli 
jisid  :  lia\iii,si;  been  superseded  by  vai'ious  other  names, 
wiiidi   have  been  successively  given  to  the  same  par- 
ty*    See  Federalist. 
Kjhy  manner  of  means. 

A  friend,  \\\m  has  resided  in  Connecticut,  inforr.-S 
me,  that  this  expression  (among  otliers)  used  to  be 
the  subject  of  animadversion,  with  the  instructoi's  of 
the  college  there,  as  a  very  common  fault  in  the  lan- 
£!;uagc  of  the  Bar  of  that  state. 

AXXIETUDE. 

I  never  saw  this  word  but  once  in  any  of  our 
publications ;  and  that  was  only  in  a  newspaper. 
Appellate.  Relating  to  appeals:  "In  all  cases  affect- 
ing ambassadors,  k-c.  the  Supreme  Court  shall  have 
or/g-iua/ jurisdiction  :  In  all  the  other  cases  before  men- 
tioned the  Supreme  Court  shall  have  appeUate  juris- 
diction.'*    Coiistitut.  of  U.  SiateSf  art.  3. 

This  is  criticised  as  an  Avitrkan  word  in  an  Eng- 
lish review  of  MarshaWs  Life  of  Washington.  The 
i-cviewer's  remai'k  is,  that  Judge  Marshall  uses  "ap- 
pellate  court  for  court  of  appeals;  appellate  being  the 
term  applicable  to  llie  person  against  whom  the  appeal 
is  made."  Annual  Rev.  for  1808,  p.  241.  The  re- 
viewer probably  consulted  Johnson,  who  cites  from 
Ayliffe's  Parergon  [of  the  Canon  law]  the  following 
expression — ♦*  the  name  of  the  party  ajjpellate,  or  pei'son 
against  whom  the  appeal  is  made."  But  Mason,  in 
his  Sup])Iement,  makes  the  following  remark  upon  this 
(itation:  "Joliiison  gives  this  word  for  a  substantive, 
and  produces  an  authority  from  Ayliflfe  proving  it  to 
be  an  adjective.  The  sense  there  is,  appealed  against; 
but  it  is  also  used  for  created  on  appeal :  <  The  king  ol' 
France  is  not  the  fountain  of  justice ;  the  judges-  nei- 
ther the  original  nor  the  appellate  are  of  his  nomina- 


35 

tion.'  BurkeJ^  Refections  on  the  Revolution  in  France 
&c.  p.  216.  of  vol.  3.  of  his  Works^  Boston  edit.  The 
word  is  here  used  by  Burke  as  it  is  in  America. 
Blackstone,  I  think,  never  uses  the  word  appellate, 
but  adopts  a  circumlocution :  "  The  next  court  that 
I  shall  mention  is  one  that  hath  no  on^iwaf  jurisdiction, 
but  is  only  a  court  of  appea'.*^  3.  Black.  Com.  31. 
*'The  house  of  peers  having  at  present  no  original 
jurisdiction  over  causes,  but  only  nj^on  appeals.'*  p.  56. 
It  has  however  been  used  by  some  later  writers  in 
Great  Britain :  *•  An  appeal  presupposes,  in  order  to 
be  effectual,  a  decided  superiority  in  the  court  of 
appellate  jurisdiction."  Edinb.  Rev.  vol.  xxi.  p.  110; 
and  again  at  p.  120.  **  Consent  cannot  give  original 
jurisdiction  to  a  court  that  has  only  an  apjiellate  juris- 
diction." Hawkins*  Fleas  of  the  Crown  by  Leach, 
B.  i.  c.  76.  §  132;  where  the  editor  cites  2  Burrow*s 
Reports  746.  But  the  word  apjiellate  is  here  the  lan- 
guage of  the  editor,  and  is  not  used  in  the  case  refer- 
ed  to.  A  correspondent  has  favoured  me  witli  the  fol- 
lowing remarks  upon  the  word :  <*  If  appellate,  in  the 
sense  in  which  it  is  employed  in  the  Constitution  of 
the  United  States,  has  not  found  its  way  into  English 
dictionaries,  it  has  found  its  way  into  English  minds. 
An  Englishman  would  contest  its  use  by  others  nei- 
ther in  speaking  nor  in  writing ;  even  if  he  had  not 
adopted  it  in  his  own  phraseology.  Burke's  use  of  it 
is  perfectly  justifiable;  and  as  the  word  is  intelligible 
to  every  scholar,  and  is  pointed,  useful  and  sonorous; 
it  may  be  considered  much  more  as  English  in  Bnrke^s 
sense  of  it,  tlian  it  is  in  Jlyllffe's;  with  whom  it  is 
merely  "  technicid."  Ji. 

The  word  has  at  length  "  found  its  way"  into  an 
English  dictionary;  being  adopted,  from  Mason's 
work,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Todd^  in  his  edition  of  Johnson* 


.JO 

\rrT.Tf  iNT.      A  (lilii;'ont  studnit. 

riiis  Nvord  liiis  bvvu  iimk  h  usrd  al  our  rollegcs.  ^ 
Tlic  l'.in;Iisli  liavr  tli(>  vci-l)  to  (ipphj,  but  the  noun 
ajiplictint,  in  this  sense,  does  not  appear  to  be  in  use 
ainou;:::  tlnni.  The  only  dictionary  in  which  I  have 
fomid  it  \\itli  this  nieaninc;  is  Kntick^s^  in  Avhich  it  is 
cfiven  under  Hie  Mord  Jlpplicr.  Mr.  Todd  has  the 
term  appliratit,  l)ut  it  is  only  in  the  sense  of  "he  who 
applies  lor  any  thin.s;."  An  American  reviewer,  in 
his  remarks  on  IVIr.  ff'cbster*s  Dictionary,  takes  notice 
of  the  word,  observing,  that  it  "is  a  mean  word;" 
and  then  a(hls,  tliat  "  Mr.  Webster  lias  not  explain- 
ed it  in  the  most  covimon  sense,  a  hard  student," 
Mwt/ihj  Jnthologiif  vol.  vii.  p.  263.  A  coiTcspondent 
obsenes — "The  utmost  that  ran  be  said  of  this  word 
among  the  English  is,  that  perhaps  it  is  occasion- 
ally used  in  convei-sation ;  at  least,  to  signify  one 
who  asks  (or  applies)  for  something."     J. 

To  Appreciate,     v.  nent.     To   rise  in  value. 

The  reviewer  quoted  in  the  preceding  article  makes 
the  following  remark  on  tins  word  :  "  He  [Mr.  Web- 
ster] gives  *  ajjpreciate  v.  to  value,  estimate,  rise  inral- 
ve:*  yet  this  third  signification,  being  neuter  or  intran- 
sitive, is  not.  we  believe,  found  in  a  single  English 
author  ;  and  in  the  United  States  is  only  admitted  into 
genteel  company  by  inadvertence."  Month.  Jintliol. 
vol.  vii.  p.  2(53.     See  also  Depreciate. 

VrpRECiATiox.  "A  rii-ing  in  value."  Webst.  Did. 
The  remarks  on  our  use  of  the  rerft  appreciate  are 
equally  applicable  to  this  n&im. 

To  Approkate. 

Ibis  \\i\H  formerly  niuih  used  at  our  colleges 
instead  of  the  old  English  verb  approre.  The  stu- 
dents used  to    speak    of  having   their   performances 


37 

approbated  by  the  instructoi's.  It  is  also  now  in  common 
use  with  our  clergy  as  a  sort  of  technical  term,  to 
tlenote  a  person  who  is  licensed  to  preach;  they 
would  say,  such  a  one  is  approbated^  that  is,  li- 
censed to  preach.  It  is  also  common  in  A^cw  England 
to  say  of  a  person,  who  is  licensed  by  the  county 
courts  to  sell  spirituous  liquors,  or  to  keep  a  public 
house,  that  he  is  approbated  ;  and  the  term  is  adopted 
in  the  law  of  Massachusetts  on  this  subject.  It  is  not 
now  in  the  English  dictionaries;  but  Mr.  Todd  (un- 
der the  obsolete  adjective  approbate)  says — "  Cock- 
eram's  old  vocabulary,  notices  the  verb  *  apjjrobate,  to 
allow,  to  like."     Todd*s  Johnson. 

To  Arrive. 

It  is  remarked  by  Englishmen,  that  we  in  many 
cases  employ  the  auxiliary  verb  to  have  with  this 
and  some  other  verbs  of  a  similar  nature,  witli 
which  the  English  more  commonly  use  the  auxiliary 
to  be.  We  generally  say,  for  example,  the  ship  lias 
arrived  ;  when  he  had  arrived,  &c.  The  English  would 
in  such  cases  use  to  be,  as  in  the  following  examples  : 
*'  We  are  now  arrived  at  the  end  of  a  laborious  task," 
&c.  Brit.  Crit.  vol.  viii.  p.  606.  « Because  tlie  art  of 
engraving  and  the  manner  of  colouring  such  figures 
ivas  not  arrived,  in  his  earlier  days,  to  the  degree  of 
perfection  in  A\hich  \\g  now  see  it."  Brit.  Crit.  vol. 
iv.  p.  255.  And  we  find  the  rule  laid  down  by  t!ie 
grammarians  accordingly.  See  Lowth'^s  Grammar ^ 
chap,  on  the  Verb  ;  and  Murray^  fwho  adopts  Lowth*s 
rule  J  on  Verbs^  sect.  8.  and  on  Syntax^  Rule  xi. 

Association.     *<A  convention  of  clergymen.     JVew  En- 
gland.*'    Webst.  Diet.     Sec  Consociation. 

Associational.     (From  the  preceding  nonn.  J 

"In  order  to  obtain  a  license,  and  afterwards,  t(i 


38 

ho  admitttMl  io  orilination,  Ihry  [students  in  divinity] 
must  in  each  case  j)a.ss  through  the  Jssociational  or 
Frcsbyterial  examination,  mentioned  above."  Remarks 
on  the  Review  oJInchiqum?s  Letters  -published  in  the  qiiar- 
fcrlji  Review  :  p.  50,  Boston  1815. 

This  adjet live  is  seldom  to  be  met  with.     I  have 
never  seen  it  in  any  other  instance. 
At  for  By.     Used  in  this  expression :  "  Sales  at  auction." 

The  English  say — "  Sales  by  auction  j"  and  this 
is  in  analogy  with  the  expressions — Sales  by  inch  of 
candle ;  sales  by  private  contract.  Accordingly  Dr. 
Johnson,  under  the  words  Auction  and  To  Auction^  has 
these  expressions — *<thc  things  sold  by  auction — to 
sell  by  auction." 

The  term  auction  is  defined  by  Johnson,  *'  a  man- 
ver  of  sale ;"  and  this  signification  seems  to  require 
the  preposition  by.  But  English  wTiters  sometimes 
use  it  (with  the  article,  however)  as  we  do,  for  tlie 
sale  merely :  "  Those  execrable  wTetches,  who  could 
become  purchasers  at  thl'  auctitm  of  their  innocent  fel- 
low-citizens." Burke's  Reflections,  p.  253.  Boston  edit. 
*•  But  when  the  leaders  choose  to  make  themselves 
bidders  at  an  auction  of  popularity,"  &c.  ib.  p.  263. 
Burke  sometimes  also  makes  use  of  to,  where  we 
sliould  use  at,  with  this  word:  <*To  put  up  their 
properties  to  auction."  ib.  p.  200. 
Attack'd-ed. 

Dr.  ^Vitllel'spoon  notices  this  among  his  "  Vulgar- 
isms in  America,'*  and  gives  the  following  example : 
*»  Tliis  is  the  weapon  with  which  he  defends  himself 
when  he  is  aitackted,  for  attacked;  or,  according  to 
the  abbreviation,  attack'd."     Druid,  No.  6. 

This  corruptifm  at  the  present  day  is,  in  our  sect* 
port  towns,   confined   to   the   most  illiterate   people. 


39 

But  I  have  understood,  that  in  the  interior,  it  is  some- 
times heard  amoni^  persons  of  a  somewhat  higher  class. 
It  should  be  remarked,  tliat  it  is  used  by  the  vulgar  in 
London,  as  well  as  in  this  country. 

To  Attain. 

The  use  of  this  verb,  witliout  the  preposition  to, 
has  been  said  to  be  peculiar  to  American  writers;  but 
this  is  not  the  case.  Dr.  Campbell  fPhilos.  of  Rhet, 
B.  ii.  ch.  2.  p.  206.  Boston  ed.J  ranks  tliis  verb  among 
those  "  which  are  used  either  with  or  without  a  prepo- 
sition indiscriminately." 

So  far  as  my  own  observation  extends,  the  English 
writers  generally  omit  the  preposition,  when  the  verb 
governs  a  relative  pronoun :  *<  They  have  advantages 
which,  among  the  ordinary  classes  of  writers,  analy- 
sis and  system  rarely  attain.^*  Dr,  Parr^s  review  of 
Combe's  Horace,  in  the  Brit.  Crit.  vol.  iii.  p.  49. 
"That  plainness  and  clearness  which  Dr.  Priestley 
seldom  fails  to  attain."     B.  Cnt.  vol.  vi.  p.  175. 

AtJCTioiv.     See  remarks  on  the  word  At. 

Authoress.      «A    female    author,    a   female    writer.'* 
Wehst.  Diet. 

This  word  has,  with  us,  been  in  as  common  use  as 
author.  But  its  admission  into  the  language  has  been 
contested  in  England.  It  is  not  in  Johnson^s  dictionary ; 
and  Ash  says  (but  this  was  forty  years  ago)  it  is  a 
word  <*  not  much  used."  The  Bntish  Cntic,  in  tho 
year  1793,  says  of  it — "We  do  not  acknowledge  this 
word."  vol.  ii.  p.  277.  Since  that  time,  however,  it 
has  been  occasionally  used  in  that  review — See,  for 
instance,  vol.  xxi.  p.  108;  for  the  year  1803;  and 
vol.  xlii.  p.  374  and  381,  for  the  year  1814.  But  the 
word  author  is  more  commonly  applied,  in  that  work, 
to  female  wTiters.  Authoress  is  used  in  the  Edinburgh- 
Review.     See,  for  instance,  vol.  ii.  p.  212. 


40 

Mr.  Tinld  luis  admitted  aiUhoress  into  his  edition  of 
Joluuion  ;  not,  however,  in  the  signification  in  ques- 
tion, but  only  in  Johnson's  second,  or  more  general 
sense  of  the  word  author;  that  is  "the  efficient;  he 
that  effects  or  produces  any  thing;"  and  Mr.  Todd 
accordingly  defines  it — "  a  female  efficient.'* 
Authority.  "  In  Connecticid,  the  Magistracy,  or  body 
of  Justices."     W^ebst.  Did. 

This  term  has  also  been  used  in  some  other  States. 
It  occurs  in  the  ancient  laws  of  Massachusetts:  See 
Mass.  Colony  Laws,  p.  28.  edit,  of  1672.  A  friend  has 
also  given  me  the  following  instance  of  it  in  a  well 
known  \M'iter  of  the  present  day.  "The  autlwriiy 
required  liim  to  give  bonds  for  his  good  behaviour." 
History  of  JS^ew -England f  by  Miss  Hannah  Adams ,  p.  64. 
It  is  also  used  in  some  of  the  States,  in  speaking  col- 
lectively of  the  professors  &c.  of  our  coUeges,  to  whom 
the  government  of  those  institutions  is  entrusted. 

AvAtLED. 

Dr.  AVitherspoon  thus  notices,  among  his  «  Ameri- 
ca7iisms"  a  mode  of  using  this  participle  :  "  The  mem- 
bers of  a  popular  government  should  be  availed  of  the 
situation  and  condition  of  every  part." — »•  The  authoi- 
of  this  did  not  know,"  he  adds,  '•  that  avail  is  neither 
an  actiA  e  nor  passive,  but  a  reciprocal  verb  ;  a  man  is 
said  to  avail  himself  oi  any  thing,  but  not  to  avail  oth- 
ers, or  be  availed  by  them.**  Druid,  No.  7.  I  have 
observed  this  idiom  in  one  or  tvvo  instances  in  conver- 
sation ;  but  no  American  would,  at  this  day,  use  it  in 
writing. 
Avails.  •-  Proceeds  of  properly  sold,  produce.  Connec- 
ticut." Webst.  Diet. 

The  English  reviewers  notice  this  word  in  a  late 
American  work,  by  putting  it  in  Italics  :  *•'  Expecting 


41 

i0  subsist  on  tlie  bounty  of  govermnpnt,  rather  than  On 
the  avails  of  their  ow  n  industry.'  "  Stoddard^s  Sketch- 
es of  Louisiana^  as  cited  in  the  Eclectic  Review  for  August 
1813,  p.  118.  In  England^  (says  a  correspondent)  «it 
is  a  word  now  antiquated."  Jl. 

2b  AVERAGK. 

Tlic  use  of  this  as  a  neuter  verb  is  not,  as  some  per- 
sons have  supposed,  peculiar  to  us  ;  as  will  appear  from 
the  following  example  :  "  The  fall  [of  snow]  averaged 
full  twenty  inches,  which  unusual  depth  was  formed  m 
little  more  than  six  hours."  London  Star,  of  January 
27,  1811,  in  a  Piijmouth  article.  It  is  not  to  be  found 
in  the  dictionaries  an  a  verb  neuter  ;  but  hi  its  active 
sense,  that  is,  to  proportion^  or  to  reduce  to  a  mean,  it  has 
been  admitted  into  Mr.  Todd*s  edition  of  Johnson. 
Averse. 

American  writers,  till  within  some  years  past,  gener- 
ally employed  tlie  preposition  to  instead  oifroTii  with  this 
adjective.  Dr.  TFitherspoon  thinks,  that "  as  averse  pro- 
perly signifies  turned  away,  it  seems  an  evident  im- 
provement, to  say  averse  from  ;"  f  Lectures  on  Elo- 
quence, J^ct.  3,J  and  the  Scottish  waiters  generally 
seem  to  have  preferred  tliis.  Dr.  Campbell,  however, 
observes, that"  the  words  averse  and  aversion  are  more 
properly  constinied  with  to  than  with  from.  The  exam- 
ples in  favour  of  the  latter  preposition,  are  beyond  com- 
parisoii  outnumbered  by  those  in  favour  of  the  former. 
The  argument  from  etymology  is  here  of  no  value,  be- 
ing taken  from  the  use  of  another  language.  If  by  the 
same  rule  we  were  to  regulate  all  nouns  and  verbs  of 
Latin  original,  our  present  syntax  would  be  overturn- 
ed." Camjyh.  Rhet.  B.  ii.  ch.  2.  §  1.  not.  Mr. 
Todd  has  the  following  remarks  upon  it :  <*  Very  fi-e- 
quentlv,  but  improperlv  [used  with]  to.  Dr.  Johnson 

6 


says  ;  luiU  .'US  I  ampbcll  in  liis  I'hilosophy  of  Rhetoric, 
ohsrrvcs,  //•(>»«  is  the  Latin  idiom  ;  and  fo  is  more  a- 
i^rt'rabli'  lo  llic  analo.i;}-  of  our  lanejuagc ;  dislike  and 
hatred,  words  synonvmons  witli  avcrseness  and  axer- 
sioiu  bi'ini;  so  fonstrued.  Perhaps  a  number  of  exam- 
ples with  from  to  averse  and  aversion^  before  Claren- 
don, miefht  be  bront^ht  to  shew  its  prevalence  then  over 
the  u.sa,s;(>  of  lo.  But  the  latter  seems  now  to  prevail.'* 
Toild'a  Jo/in.snn. 
Awful.     Disagreeable,  ugly.    JS''e7V  England. 

In  New  Englaiul  many  pc^ople  would  call  a  disa- 
greeable medicine,  airfiil ;  an  ugly  woman,  an  awjul- 
looking  woman  :  a  perverse, ill-natured  cliild,that  diso- 
beys his  pai'cnts,  would  be  said  to  behave  awjidly;  &c. 
This  word,  liowever,  is  never  used  except  in  conversation, 
and  is  far  from  being  so  common  in  the  &6a-;;or/s  now,  as 
it  was  some  years  ago.  A  late  English  travellei*  has  the 
following  remarks  upon  tiiis,  among  other  words :  <»  I 
found  in  several  instances  that  tlie  co»?i/n/-])eople  of 
Vermont  and  other  New  England  states  make  use  of 
many  curious  phrases  and  quaint  expressions  in  their 
conversation,  whicii  arc  i*endered  more  remai'kable  by 
a  sort  of  naaal  twang  which  they  have  in  speaking.* 

•  This  nasal  tiuang,  as  Mr.  Lam'oert  oljsei'ves,  is  very  common  in 
N'ew  En^^lind,  among  the  " coM«<rj/-peoplc.*'  In  the  sea-port  towns 
also,  people  of  all  classes  undoubtedly  have  a  slower  and  more  delib- 
erate manner  of  speaking  than  the  English  ;  and,  in  some  instances, 
tliey  fall  in'.o  a  dra-.vliitg  pronunciation.  An  American,  however,  is 
tiot  likely  to  be  sensible  of  this,  unless  he  has  been  absent  from  his 
countrv  for  some  time,  and  liis  ear  has  been  familiarized  to  the  pronun- 
ciation of  Englishmen.  Our  peculiarities  in  pronvnciation  (as  well  as 
in  expregaions)  would  afford  a  subject  for  many  remarks  ;  but  it  is  not 
witiiin  ti»e  plan  of  the  present  work  to  notice  them.  Indeed,  this  is 
becoming  the  less  necessary  every  day  ;  as  there  is  a  general  and  in- 
creasing disposition  to  regulate  our  pronunciation  by  that  of  JValher. 


43 

Every  thing  that  creates  surprise  is  aYf^/tf/ with  them ;  <what 
an  awfid  wind !  awful  hole !  awful  bill !  awful  mouth  !  aw- 
ful nose  !*  "*  &c.     Travels  thrmigh  Canada  and  the  United 
States,  by  John  Lambert,  London  181  i ;  vol.  ii.  p.  505. 

Back  and  forth.      Backwards    and    forwai'ds.     Ex.    He 
was  walking  back  and  forth. 

Tills  is  a  very  common  expression  in  JS^cw  England; 
but  it  is  used  only  in  conversation. 

Backwoodsmen. 

A  name  given  by  the  people  of  the  commercial  towns 
in  the  United  States,  to  those  who  inhabit  the  territory 
westward  of  the  Allegany  mountains.  '•  The  project  of 
transmuting  the  classes  of  American  citizens  and  con- 
Terting  sailors  into  backwoodsmen,  is  not  too  monstrous 
for  speculatists  to  conceive  and  desire."  Works  of  Fisher 
Ames,  p.  1M<. 

This  word  is  commonly  used  as  a  term  of  reproach 
(and  that,  only  in  the  familiar  style,)  to  designate  those 
people,  who,  being  at  a  distance  from  the  sea  and  entire- 
ly agricultural,  are  considered  as  either  hostile  or  indifter- 
ent  to  the  interests  of  the  commercial  states. 

Balance. 

This  mercantile  word  is  much  used  by  the  people  of 
the  Southern  States  in  conversation,  as  a  general  term 
signifying  the  remainder  of  any  thing.  Ex.  I  spent  a 
part  of  the  evening  at  a  friend's  house,  and  the  balance 
at  home :  A  quaiiier  part  of  the  army  were  killed  and 
the  balance  taken  prisoners,  kc.  Tho  w  ord  is  also  olten 
used  in  the  debates  of  Congress,  as  I  am  informed  (but 
only  by  the  Southern  members)  in  the  following  manner  : 
A  member  moves,  that  the  first  section  of  a  hill  sliould 
be  amended,  and  the  balance  of  the  bill  struck  out. 

'  It  Is  applied,  not  to  what  creates  narprisc,  but  diililce,  or  dis^'u-^l. 


44 

Banditti, 

Tilt'  use  of  this  word,  as  a  noun  of  the  singular  niim 
bcr,  in  Judge  MnnhnWs  Life  of  Washington,  is  censured 
in  <he  dnnual  Itexiciv  (vol.  vii.  p.  2i.l.)  as  one  of  the 
faults  in  the  language  of  that  work.  The  pjissage  allu- 
ded to  hy  the  reviewera  is  this:  "The  expulsion  or  sup- 
pression of  a  banditti  of  tories  collecting  on  Long  IsU 
and."  Life  of  H'as/i.  vcd.  ii.  p.  285.  Judge  Marshall 
more  couimonly  uses  it  as  a  pleural  noun :  "  The  perpetra- 
toi-sof  the  late  murdei-s  vvurcbamlitH  composed  of  Creeks 
and  Cherokees."  v(d.  v.  p.  281.  But  it  is  sometimes  used 
as  a  singular  noun  hy  the  writers  of  Great  Britain  :  "  On 
Jiis  return  from  Rcnne,  knowing  that  he  was  way-laid 
by  a  banditti,"  bcc.  Jndreivs's  History  of  G.  Britain^  aoI. 
i.  p.  22!)  ,•  as  Cited  in  B.  Crif.  iv.  p.  515.  And  the  fol- 
lowing instance  is  from  a  distinguished  English  review : 
<'  It  was  indeed  a  noble  triumph  of  a  ferocious  banditti 
in  arms  over  helpless  women,"  &c.  Brit.  Crit.  vol.  ii.p.  245, 
BiNK-Biut.     A  bank-note. 

It  is  remarkable  that  neither  Dr.  Johnson,  nor  thf 
other  lexicographers  have  the  term  bank-7ioie,  though 
they  all  have  ha.\\k-bill,  which  Johnson  defines — "  a  note 
for  money  laid  up  in  a  bank,  at  the  sight  of  which  the 
money  is  paid."  His  authority  is  a  passage  from  SwifVs 
V  ill — «  Let  three  hundred  pounds  be  paid  her  out  of  my 
ready  money  or  bank-bills."  The  same  phraseology 
occurs  in  another  pai't  of  the  will ;  but  it  is  not  certain 
that  Sivift  (or  the  scrivener  who  drew  his  will)  intended 
by  bank-bills  what  arc  now  called  bank-notes  in  England, 
as  \\  ill  piTscntly  appeal' ;  if  he  did,  however,  the  term 
bank-note  was  then  also  in  use;  and,  at  the  present  day, 
is  the  only  name  given  to  what  are  called  bank-&i//s  in 
*9merica.  See  Rees^s  Cyclopedia,  aHicle  bank  of  eiv- 
GLAXD.  In  the  American  additions  to  that  work,  however, 
Bank-6iW  is  generally  used. 


45 

The  term  hank-hill  seems  to  have  been  used  formerly 
h\  England  to  denote  a  bank  security,  which  differed  in 
some  respects  from  common  bank-notes.  From  a  case 
before  Lord  Holt  in  the  year  1698  (just  after  the  bank  of 
England  was  incorporated)  it  seems,  that  the  hunk-bills 
were  issued  in  the  real  names  of  the  original  holders,  and 
were  renewed,  on  request,  in  tl*e  names  of  the  subsequent 
owners.  See  1  Lord  Raymond^ s  Beports,  738.  It  will 
appear  also  from  the  following  authority,  that  there  was 
another  difference  between  bills  and  notes :  — "  Upon  this 
the  credit  of  the  bank  [of  England]  recovered  immediate- 
ly, until  in  a  few  weeks  their  7iotes,  w  liich  bore  no  interest, 
Avere  equal  with  money ;  and  their  hills,  that  bore  interest, 
better  than  money."  Tindal*s  Continuation  of  Rapin*s 
Hist,  of  Engl.  vol.  iii.  p.  335,  folio  edit.  The  English 
statutes  for  preventing  forgeries  of  the  bank-securities 
also  use  both  the  terms ;  and,  apparently,  to  signify  two 
different  things. 

An  English  friend  has  given  me  the  following  re- 
marks on  this  subject :  "  The  practice  of  the  Bank  of 
England  has  possibly  varied  at  different  periods.  For 
many  years  past  their  current  paper  has  been  payable  to 
the  bearer  of  it,  and  called  Bank-notes.  But  bills  are 
occasionally  issued  by  this  bank  to  accommodate  spe- 
cific individuals,  who  wish  to  send  a  form  of  bank-paper 
by  post,  which  requires  endorsement;  and  these  are 
called  Bank  post-bills.  There  is  but  one  incorporated 
banking  institution  for  England  and  Wales;  and  the 
banks  of  associated  individuals  in  these  two  countries 
(which  in  no  case  can  have  moie  than  six  partners) 
issue  paper  bearing  different  names,  according  to  the 
objects  of  it.  Various  departments  of  the  English  gov- 
ernment issue  paper  bearing  the  nixma  of  hills ;  as  Ex- 
chequer bills,  Mivij  bills,  kc.''  JL 


46 

Barbrc  ur.     T\'icd  in  the  SoulluTii  slatoi. 

T\w  f»)ll<)winc;  cxtrart  from  the  work  of  an  Eugli 
travtlltr  in  Anu  lie  a  will  explain  the  meaning  of  thLi| 
trnn,  and  at  llio  sanu'  timo  vindiratc  Iho  pcopif  of  Vi 
e;inia  Ironi  tin"  caliiiniru's  of  prejudiced  foreigncn 
♦'  Moms,  de  >N  illd,  in  his  French  translation  of  the^ 
travels,  makes  the  f()lIo\vinj^  obsci'vation  upon  the  woi 
hnrhacne  : — '  Cet  amusement  l)arbarc  consistr  a  foucttei 
les  pons  Jusqu'  a  la  mort  ])our  en  rendre  la  chair  ])lu8 
delicate.  J<'  lie  sache  pas  que  les  cannibales  memes  le 
pratiquent.'*  In  Justice  to  the  inhabitants  of  Virginia, 
I  nmst  beg  leave  to  observe,  that  such  a  cruel  and  inhu- 
man act  was  never,  to  my  knowledge  at  least,  practised 
in  that  country.  A  barbaciie  is  nothing  more  than  a 
porket  killed  in  tlie  usual  way,  stuffed  with  spices  and 
other  rich  ingredients,  and  basted  with  Madeira  wine. 
It  is  esteemed  a  very  great  delicacy,  and  is,  I  believe,  a 
costly  dish.'*  Buruabifs  Travels  in  J^orth  Jlmerka^  3d 
edit.  4to,  liondon  1798,  p.  29.  This  term,  however,  is 
not  pccidiar  to  the  United  States ;  it  is  used  in  the 
Jf'est  Inilies  also.  See  Johmon^s  Dictionary. 
To  Base.     To  found,  to  build  upim  as  a  basis. 

A  f<'w  of  our  writers  have  adopted  this  Gallicism ; 
but  it  is  not  in  common  use.  The  English  verb  to  base 
(according  to  Dr.  Johnson)  signifies  "to  make  less  valu- 
able by  admixture  of  meaner  metals ;  figuratively,  to 
degrade."  But  it  is  obsolete. 
Be. 

This  was  formerly  much  used  in  JVew  England  in- 
stead of  am  and  «re,  in  plu'ases  of  this  kind  :  Be  you 
ready  ?  Be  you  going  ?  1  be,  &c.     It  w  as  also  common  in 

•  Trannlation.  This  barbarovis  amusement  is,  whipping'  hogs  to 
deatli,  in  order  to  make  their  flesh  the  more  delicate.  I  do  not  know  tliat 
even  cannibiils  practise  it. 


47 

.J^gland,  as  long  ago  as  when  our  ancestors  left  that 
country  ;  and  is  often  used  in  the  Bihle  :  "  They  that  he 
with  us  are  more  than  they  that  be  with  them."  2  Kings, 
yi.  16  ;  and  in  various  other  places.  It  is  still  used  in 
some  of  the  provincial  dialects  of  England.  A  writer  in 
•the  Monthly  Magazine  (for  Sept.  1814,  p.  126)  observes, 
/that  the  people  of  Somersetshire  "  make  use  of  the  word 
be  nearly  through  the  whole  of  the  present  tense  of  the 
Terb  to  be  ;  as  I  he,  tliou  beest,  (pronounced  bist,)  he  is  ; 
.we,  you,  they  6e."  And  Mr.  Marshall  says,  that  "  be  is 
generally  used  for  is  in  Gloucestershire."  See  his  Ru- 
ral Eco7iom,y  of  Gloucestershire.  The  use  of  be  is  not  so 
common  in  JV*ew  England  at  tlie  present  day,  as  it  was 
jBome  years  ago ;  it  is  seldom  heard  now,  except  in  the 
interior  towns  or  among  the  vulgar.  The  vulgar,  in- 
deed, also  frequently  employ  it  instead  of  the  auxiliary 
to  have  ;  as,  be  you  got  it,  for  have  you  got  it. 

Dr.  Witherspoon  notices  also,  as  an  Americanism,  the 
omission  of  this  verb  in  expressions  like  the  following  : 
"  These  things  were  ordered  delivered  to  tlie  army,"  for 
ordered  to  be  delivered,  &c.  He  then  adds — "  I  am  not 
certain  whether  this  is  a  local  expression,  or  general,  in 
America."  Druid,  No.  5.  This  omission  of  to  he  is, 
I  tliink,  rare  at  the  present  day. 
EAKER.     A  tumbler. 

Not  many  years  ago  this  word  was  in  common  use 
in  J\'ew  England,  and,  I  believe,  in  some  otlier  parts  of 
the  United  States  ;  but  it  is  now  seldom  heard  except 
among  old  people.  It  is  in  the  dictionaries,  but  I  lu'ver 
heard  it  in  England.  A  correspondent,  however,  ob- 
serves, that  "it  has  been  occasionally  used  in  some  parl» 
of  England  so  low  dowii  as  within  half  a  century."     Jl. 

Bailey  defines  it  simply  "  a  drinking-cup,"  and  gives 
the  etymology  of  it  as  follo\v  s  :  '•  Probably  of  Bcker, 


48 

Jhilch  ;  Hi'<  k(>i',  (ievm.;  Baker,  iVHY.;  wlieiicc  liacrio, 
Uitr  Soo  the  folio  edit,  of  Bailey,  of  1736.  But  Dr. 
Johnson  derives  it  from  hcak^  and  defines  it»  «*  a  cup  with 
a  siM)ut  in  the  form  of  a  hird's  heak."  Mr.  Todd  how- 
ever observes,  that  ''  both  his  etymolo,^  and  definition 
are  incorrect.  Our  word  is  the  Genu.  hecheVf  a  cup; 
Ital.  bicchiere ;  low  Lat.  haccharium,  fancifidly  derived 
from  Bacchus.  V.  Du  Gauge.  J3icfeer  in  the  Northumb. 
dialect,  is  a  quart  vessel,  about  two  inches  and  a  half 
de^p,  made  with  small  staves  or  hoops."  Todd's  Johnson. 
Every  traveller  in  Holland  must  have  observed,  that  the 
Mord  beker  is  a  common  name  there  for  a  iumblerf  or 
dri)iking  cup. 

To  Belittle. 

A  well-known  Englisli  Review,  in  enumerating  the 
faults  of  our  writers,  tluis  mentions  tliis,  among  other 
words :  "  President  Jefferson  [talks]  of  belittling  the 
l)roductions  of  nature."  ^uart.  Rev.  vol.  x.  p.  528. 
Tiie  passage  here  alluded  to,  is  in  Mr.  Jefferson's  JVotes 
on  Virginia,  ^uery  6th.  The  word  is  sometimes  heard 
here  in  conversation ;  but  in  writingf  it  is,  I  believe,  pecu- 
liar to  that  gentleman. 

liFSTowMENT.     "  The  art  of  conferring."     JTebst.  Diet. 

This  word  is  often  heard  from  the  pulpit,  and  has 
sometimes  appeared  in  print.  It  has  been  noticed  by 
one  of  our  rcviewei's,  as  a  word  "  used  without  any  au- 
thority," in  a  work  published  a  few  years  ago.  See  a 
review  of  Discourses  on  Public  Occasions  illustrating  the 
principles,  ^'c.  of  Free  Masonry,  by  Thaddeus  Jlf.  Harris  s 
in  the  New  York  American  Itevicw,  vol.  i.  p.  349. 

I  do  not  find  the  word  in  any  of  the  dictionaries, 
except  the  English  part  of  Ainsworth's.  Mr.  Todd,  in 
his  edition  of  Johnson,  has  bestowal,  (for  which,  however, 
he  cites  no  authority.)  but  not  bistoxvment. 


49 

Bkttekmexts.  (Generally  used  in  the  plural  number.) 
The  improvements  made  on  new  lands,  by  cultivation, 
and  the  erection  of  buildings,  &c. 

This  term  was  first  used,  as  I  have  understood,  in 
the  State  of  Vermont ;  but  it  has  for  a  long  time  been 
common  in  the  State  of  J\"tw  Hampshire  :  And  it  has 
been  getting  into  use  in  some  parts  of  JUassadmseitSf 
since  the  passing  of  the  late  law,  similar  to  the  Better- 
ment  Ads  (as  they  are  called)  of  the  states  abovemeu- 
tioned.  It  is  not  to  be  found  in  Mr  ff^ebstefSf  nor  in 
any  of  the  English  dictionaries  that  I  have  seen,  except 
Ash*s ;  and  there  it  is  called  "  a  bad  word."  It  is  thus 
noticed  by  an  English  traveller  in  this  country,  in  speak- 
ing of  those  people  w  ho  enter  upon  new  lands  without  any 
right  and  proceed  to  cultivate  them  :  « These  men  de- 
mand either  to  be  left  owners  of  the  soil  or  paid  for  their 
betterments^  that  is,  for  what  they  have  done  towards 
clearing  the  ground."  Travels  in  the  United  States,  by 
E.  A,  Kendall,  vol.  iii.  p.  160. 

BlUFF. 

This  is  noticed  by  a  late  English  traveller  as  an 
Americanism:  *<  The  town  of  Savannah  is  budt  upon  an 
open  sandy  plain,  which  forms  a  cliff,  or,  as  the  Ameri- 
cans term  it,  a  bluff,  by  the  shore,  about  fifty  feet  above 
the  level  of  the  river."  Travels  in  Canada  and  the 
United  Slates,  by  John  Lambert,  vol.  ii.  p.  263.  London, 
181i.     The  term  is  not  in  the  dictionaries. 

This  is,  however,  a  well-known  nautical  terra  among 
i\\c  English:  "Bluff;  a  bluff  or  high  land."  Vocabulary 
of  Sea  Phrases  ^-c.  by  a  Captain  of  the  British  JSliivy. 
London,  1799.  The  dictionaries  all  have  bluff  as  an  ad- 
jective. 

BoATABLE.     "Navigal)le  with   boats."     fVebst  Diet.     Ex. 
*«  The  Seneca  Indians  sav,  they   can  walk  four  times  a 

7 


.')() 


« 


day  from  llic  InniUililc  walors  of  tlif  Alli'i^aiiy  to  those 
ol"  tlu'  'i'yoga."     M^'sc's  Jmerican  Geogriiphij. 

This  word  is  raroly  used  hy  Americans,  and  never 
by  Hii^lislimen^  in  icriting.  A  correspondent,  however, 
remarks,  that  **  in  very  laiuiliar  discourse,  it  is  perhaps 
used  ainoue;  fwune  of  the  English  ;  but  it  lias  scarcely  a 
riqht  to  be  ( aUed  a  classical  word."  Jl.  It  is  not  in 
<he  dictionai'ies. 
Boating.  '*  Conveyinj;,  or  the  practice  of  transporting  in 
'     boats."     Jf'ebst,  Did. 

This,  as  ^ell  as  the  preceding  word,  seems  to  be  a 
part  of  the   technical  language  of  boatmen,  as  carting  is 
of  carters,  kc.  I   do   not  find  it  noticed  by   any  of  the 
English  lexicographers  except  ^sh. 
jBook-store. 

The  Edinhurgh  Revinv  notices  the  use  of  this  term  as 
one  of  our  ])eculiarities  :  «  Tlicir   booksellers*  shops  pass- 
ing under  the  name  of  bonk-storesJ*     Ed.  Rev.  vol.  wii, 
p.  i2l.     It  is  common  throughout  the  United  States. 
To  Bottom,     r.  act. 

This  verb  has  been  nmch  used  in  the  United  States, 
in  the  debates  of  our  legislative  bodies,  and  has  been  sup- 
posed b}'  some  j)ersons  to  be  an  Americanism  ;  but  tliis  is 
not  the  case.  It  docs  not,  however,  seem  to  be  much  used 
hy  English  writers  of  tlie  present  day.  Dr.  Johnson*s 
autliorities  are.  Hale,  Collins,  Atterburyt  and  Loche ;  the 
last  of  whom  uses  it  also  as  a  neuter  vei-b,  in  the  following 
senter.cc  quoted  by  Johnson :  "  Find  out  upon  what 
foundation  any  proposition  advanced,  6of/onis."  [llioughts 
concertiing  Reading  and  Study.]  Burke  also  uses  it  both  as 
an  active  and  a  neuter  verb — <''But  an  absurd  opinion 
concerning  the  king's  hereditary  right  to  the  crown  does 
not  prejudice  one  that  is  rational  and  bottomed  upon  solid 
principles  of  law  and  policy."     Burke's  Reflections  ;  vol. 


54 

iii.  p.  43,  of  his  Works^  Boston  edit.  "Ail  the  oblique 
insinuations  concerning  election,  bottom  in  this  proposi- 
tion," &c.  ibid.  p.  33.  I  have  also  met  with  an  instance 
of  it  in  a  well-known  English  review :  «  Most  of  our 
Laws  respecting  personal  rights  are  bottomed  upon  it, 
[i.  e.  the  Roman  Law.]     Brit.  Crit.  vol.  xxi.  p.  17. 

Yet  the  use  of  this  verb  seems  to  be  considered  as  one 
of  our  peculiarities  by  an  English  writer,  whose  "  advice 
to  the  Americans"  (says  the  Monthly  Review')  "  merits 
attentive  consideration  on  their  part."  An  English 
friend,  however,  observes,  that,  "  notwithstanding  the 
opinion  of  this  writer,  bottomed  is  a  sound  English  word^ 
if  used  as  in  the  citation  from  Burke."     A.'^ 

Bottom-lands. 

In  Pennsylvania  and  some  other  States  this  name  is 
given  to  the  rich  flat  land  on  the  banks  of  rivers,  whicli 
in  Mw  England  is  generally  called  interval-land,  or 
simply  interval.  A  friend  observes,  that  it  is  "  not  En- 
glish ;  but  colloquially  bottoms  may  be  used  as  a  sub- 
stantive." J.  One  of  Johnson's  explanations  of  Bottom 
is,  "  a  dale,  a  valley,  a  low  ground." 

Bii.iCK.     **  A  breach,  a  broken  part."     Johnson. 

This  old  English  word  is  still  used  colloqnirdly  in 
many  paits  of  JS^ew  England,  where  it  is  commonly  ap- 
])lied  to  a  breach  or  flaw  in  a  piece  of  cloth.  In  England 
t  is  provincial  at  the  present  day.  Home  Tooke  says  of 
it — «  Though  Brack,  as  a  noun,  is  not  nmch  in  fashion  at 
present,  it  was  formerly  in  good  aud  common  us?  : — 

*  Tliis  and  several  other  wortls  are  tlms  riillculed  by  the  iuitlior 
quoted  in  the  Montldy  Review  :  "  Were  it  not  for  my  destitution  of  leis- 
ure, which  oblifjes  nie  to  hasten  to  tlie  occlimion  of  these  p;iges,  as  1  fn-o- 
gresn  I  sliould  bottom  my  assertion  on  instances  fiom  autliors  of  tlic 
first  grade ;  but  were  I  to  render  my  sketcli  lengthy,  I  sliould  iUy  answer 
the  purpose  which  I  have  in  view."  A  Foliticul  Sketch  of  Amevica,  cited 
in  the  JMonthly  lievicw,  vol.  hi.  p.  104. 


53 

•  Let  iiyl  a  nnitK  i'  lli'stiifl,  or  licic  and  there 
*Tlic  fadlnjj  gloss,  a  jj^L'ucral  loss  uppcar.* 

7T.  (Did  Flcfclwr,  EpiUi^uc  to  Vakntinian.^*  JJiversions  ///' 
Purlcij,  part  Z.  Tlic  London  ^Munt/ily  Jfagazinc  noti(  <s 
it  as  a  proviiirialism  of  Essex  and  Somersetshire.  'S;  • 
vols,  xxxvii.  p.  498,  and  xxxviii.  p.  12(5. 

Brash,     lirittle. 

This  term  is  used  in  some  parts  of  New  Eni^land,  in 
speaking  ol'ycood,  or  timljer^  that  is  brittle.  Ex.  Tliis  piece 
of  timber  is  very  hras/i.  1  do  not  find  brash  (in  this  sense) 
in  any  of  the  dictionaries  or  glossaiies.    Sec  Frough. 

Bbeachy. 

This  is  a  common  word  among  the  farmers  of  Mw 
England,  in  s{)eaking  of  oxen,  &c.  that  arc  unruly,  and 
apt  to  break  througli  their  enclosuiTs.  1  do  not  find  it  in 
the  dictionaries  or  glossaries. 

Bread-stuff.     Bread-corn,  meal,  bread. 

*•  One  groat  objcctiim  to  the  condu(  t  of  Britain  wa« 
her   prf)liihitory    duty  on  the  inij)ortation  of  bread-stn^',  i 
&:c.  ^^larshaU's  Life  of  ff'asliington,  vol.  v,  p.  51I>. 

The  Jlnmial  Review  (vol.  vii.  p.  2i-i.)  points  out  this 
as  one  of  the  Americanisms  of  Judge  Marshairs  work. 
'Jhe  term  was  first  used,  I  believe,  in  some  of  the  official 
papers  of  our  Government,  soon  alter  the   adoption  of 

the  present  Constitution  :  <'  The  articcs  of  exports, aic 

bread-stuffs,,  that  is  to  say,  bread-grains,  meals,  and 
bread."  Report  of  the  Secretary  of  State  (Mr.  Jefferson) 
on  Commercial  Restrictions,  kc.  Dec.  16,  1793.  It  has 
probably  been  the  more  readily  allowed  among  us,  be- 
f  ause  we  do  not,  like  the  English,  use  the  word  corn  as 
a  general  name  for  all  sorts  of  grain,  but  apply  it  almost 
exclusively  to  Indian  corn,  or  maize.  A  friend  has  fa^ 
voured  me  with  the  following  remarks  on  it:  *' Bread- 
duff'  is  American.     In  Jamaica,   they  have  a  term  foi' 


53 

the  esculent  roots,  kc,  substituted  for  bi^ad  5  viz.  Bread- 
kind.     Some  geiieric  term  is  wanting  here  in  these  cases, 
analogous   to  lumber,   which  is  the  term  used  for  the 
whole  class  of  rough  wooden  matenals.*''  Jl.     See  Corn. 
To  Bridge. 

A  peculiar  use  of  this  verb  in  the  state  of  Cmnedi- 
oit  is  thus  noticed  by  an  English  traveller :  '•  Here  a 
sufficient,  though  not  very  agreeable  road,  is  formed  by 
causeys  of  logs  ;  or,  in  the  language  of  the  country,  it  is 
bridged.  R'eiuM^s  Travels,  vol.  i.  p.  235. 
Brief.     Prevalent,  common,  rife. 

This  is  much  used  in  JS''etv  England  by  the  illiterate, 
in  speaking  of  a  rumour  or  report,  as  well  as  of  epidemic- 
al diseases.  But  as  a  friend  observes,  «r//e  is  oftener 
used  than  brief  in  the  case  of  diseases;**  anil  I  think, 
brief  is  not  so  common  in  the  sea-port  towns,  as  it  is  in 
the  country.  I  have  not  found  brief  in  any  of  the  diction- 
aries except  5oi/fj/'s;  in  wiiich  it  is  defined,  "common 
or  rife  ;'*  and  is  not  noted  as  eitlier  an  anticpiated  or  a  pro- 
vincial word.  But  Grose  ranks  it  among  the  ;;7'ori«cia^/s}»,N 
of  the  ^^orth  of  England,  and  remarks,  that  it  is  tliere 
*'  spoken  of  a  contagious  distemper.'*  See  the  Supjde- 
ment  to  his  Provincial  (jHossanj.  A  correspondent  in- 
forms me,  that  britfin  used  by  the  illiterate  in  Virginia, 
as  well  as  in  the  JS})rthcrn  States ;  but  oidy  in  speaking 
of  diseases.  It  has  been  generally  considered  as  a  mere 
cori'U]>tion  of  rfe. 
Brush.  Brushwood;  '- loj)ped  bramhes  of  trees."  JFcbst. 
Diet. 

The  word  brush,  in  this  sense,  is  not  noticed,  I  believe, 
by  any  of  the  English  lexicographeis  except  Bailcij,  wIkssc 
explanation  of  it  is — *'  A  bundle  of  small  sticks  to  liglit  a 
fire."  Baileifs  Dict.fol.  edit.  173(5.  In  the  octavo  editions 
of  the  Same  work,  however^  the  word  is  not  given  in  this 


54 

sonso ;  but  llic  author  hiinsell"  usos  it  under  the  word 
bnishment,  vhich  he  defines — **  bnish,  or  small  wood." 
Urush  is,  probably,  obsolete  in  England,  as  applied  to 
siuiill  wood,  offer  it  is  cut  foi"  fuel ;  but  it  is  still  used 
tliere  in  speaking  of  small  wood  Utat  is  growing.  See 
Jkcs*s  Cyclop,  art.  Brush. 

To  Calcuxate.  To  expect ;  suppose  ;  think.  Ex.  I  cal- 
culate he  w  ill  do  sucli  a  thing  ;  I  calculate  to  leave  town 
tomorrow. 

The  use  of  this,  and  some  other  words,  in  the  *'  coun- 
frij  towns'*  of  New  England,  is  thus  ridiculed  by  a  late 
English  traveller  :  "  Tlie  crops  are  progressing,  says 
jNathan,  though  I  calculate  as  how  this  is  a  propitious* 
weedy  soil."     Lambert" s  Travels,  vol.  ii.  p.  506. 

Cax't.     See  remarks  on  Jn't. 

To  Captivate.  "  To  take  prisoner ;  to  bring  into  bon- 
dage."    Johnson. 

The  use  of  this  word  is  noticed  by  the  Edinburgh 
FeriewerSf  in  their  review  of  the  American  Mineralogical 
Journal,  published  at  New  York  in  the  year  1810.  After 
mentioning  some  otlier  words,  (which  will  be  found  in  this 
Vocabulaiy,)  they  say  :  "  Other  examples,  proving  the 
alteration  to  w  hich  our  language  has  been  exposed,  chiefly 
by  the  introduction  of  Gallicisms,  may  be  noticed  in  the 
rest  of  the  Journal ;  resembling  expressions  found  in 
American  newspapers,  where  for  '  a  ship  taken,''  we 
read  of  '  a  ship  captirated.*  The  word  (in  tliis  sense) 
w  as  so  new  to  me,  that  in  the  former  edition  of  this  work, 
I  remarked,  that  I  presumed  the  reviewers  were  not  se- 
rious in  giving  this  as  a  real  specimen  of  our  style,  but 
intended  it  (if  the  expression  might  be  allowed)  merely 

•  what  this  word  prnpitioua  means  here,  I  am  at  loss  to  imagine  :  I 
iiever  heard  it  used  in  any  expression  like  tlie  one  here  quoted.  I  presume 
'Jiere  is  an  error  of  the  press,  and  that  possibly  it  should  be  prodigious. 


55 

as  a  caricature ;  and  I  added,  that  I  had  never  seen  it 
thus  used,  even  in  our  new  spapers.  I  have  not  yet,  in- 
deed, met  with  it  in  any  of  our  newspapers ;  but,  to  my 
great  surprise,  I  have  lately  found  it  in  the  works  of  two 
or  three  of  our  authors :  "  Twenty  three  people  were 
killed  in  this  surprisal,  and  twenty  nine  were  captivated^' 
Belknap^s  Historij  of  JVew  Hampshire^  vol.  i.  ch.  10.  It 
has  also  been  used  by  Dr.  Ramsay :  "  The  singularly 
interesting  event  of  captivating  a  second  royal  army 
[Lord  Cornwallis's]  produced  strong  emotions,'*  &.c. 
History  of  the  American  Revolution,  \i)\.  ii.  p.  271<.  Philad. 
edit.  ±789.  From  Dr.  Ramsay^s  histor} ,  tlie  word  has 
been  adopted  (as  a  friend  first  remarked  to  me)  by  an 
estimable  writer,  whose  great  modesty  has  sometimes 
led  her  to  employ  the  language  of  otlier  authors  in  prefer- 
ence to  her  own.*  But  the  word  is  not  in  general  use 
by  American  authors. 

The  verb  to  captivate ,  however,  is  in  the  dictionaries  in 
this  sense  ;  and  Dr.  Johnson  gives  as  authorities,  Shaks- 
peare,  King  Charles^  and  Locke.  But,  notwithstanding 
these  authorities,  American  writers  would  hardly  be  able 
to  justify  the  use  of  it  at  this  day,  any  more  than  the 
well-known  Scottish  writer.  Dr.  Geddcs,  could  the  use  of 
the  verb  to  captive,  which  was  justly  objected  to  by  the 
English  reviewers.  See  Brit.  Critic,  vol.  iv.  p.  153. 
Caucus. 

This  noun  is  used  througliout  the  United  States,  as  a 
cant  term  for  those  meetings,  which  are  held  by  the  dii- 
i'erent  political  parties,  for  the  purpose  of  agreeing  upon 
candidates  for  office,  or  concerting  any  measure,  which 
tliey  intend  to  carry  at  the  subsequent  p-nhlic,  or  iou-n- 
meetings.  The  earliest  account  I  have  seen  of  this  ex- 
traordinary word  is  the  following,  from  Gordon*s  History 

*  Miss  Hannali  Adams.    See  her  History  of  New  Eng-land,  8vo.  edit. 
p.  471. 


30 

of  tJif  ^hiurican  llcvolution,  published    lit    Loudon    in  the 
year  1788. 

"  'I'hr  word  caucus  (says  the  iuithor)  and  its  deriva 
live  cuiicitsiiig,  arc  often  used  in  liosloti,  Tiic  last  an- 
swers much  to  what  we  style  parlianu'iiteering,  or  el»M  - 
Pioneering.  All  my  repeated  ajjplications  to  different 
ju;entlenu'n  have  not  i'urnislied  nic  with  a  satisfactory  ac- 
count of  caucus/  It  seems  to  mean  a  number  of  persons, 
whether  more  or  less,  met  together  to  consult  upon  adopt- 
ing and  prosecuting  some  scheme  of  ])olicy  for  carrying 
a  favoinite  ])oint.  The  word  is  not  (»f  novel  inveution. 
More  tiian  lifty  years  ago,  Mr.  Samuel  Adams's  father 
and  twenty  others,  one  or  two  from  the  north  end  of  the 
town,  where  all  the  ship-business  is  carried  on,  used  to 
meet,  make  a  Caucus,  and  lay  their  plan  for  introducing 
ceKain  persons  into  jdaces  of  trust  and  power.  AVhcn 
they  had  settled  it,  they  separated,  and  used  each  theii' 
paiticular  influence  \vithin  his  own  circle.  He  and  his 
friends  would  furnisii  themselves  with  hallots,  including 
the  names  of  the  parties  fixed  upon,  which  they  distri- 
buted on  the  days  of  election.  By  acting  in  concert,  to-  I 
gether  with  a  careful  and  extensive  distribution  of  ballots, 
they  generally  carried  the  elections  to  their  own  mind. 
In  like  manner  it  was,  that  Mr.  Samuel  Adams  first  be- 
came a  representative  for  Boston.'*  Gordon*s  Hist.  vol. 
i.  p.  2V0,  note. 

An  Englisli  traveller,  (Mr.  Kendall)  who  lias  taken 
notice  of  many  American  words,  seems  to  think  that  this 
^'felicitous  term^'  (as  lie  ironically  calls  it)  is  applied  on- 
ly to  party  meetings,  or  consultations,  of  the  members  of 
fhc  legislatures  in  the  different  states ;  but  this  is  not  the 
case.  All  meetings  of  parties,  for  the  purpose  of  con- 
certing any  measures,  are  called  by  this  name. 

From  the  above  remarks  of  Dr.   Gordan,  it  shoidd 


57 

seem  that  these  meetings  were  first  held  in  a  part  of 
Boston  wliere  "  all  the  ship-business  was  carried  on  ;'* 
and  I  had  therefore  thought  it  not  improhable  that  Cau- 
cus might  be  a  corruption  of  Caulkers,  the  word  meetings 
being  understood.  I  was  afterwards  informed  by  a  friend 
in  Salenif  that  the  late  Judge  Oliver  often  mention- 
ed this  as  the  origin  of  the  word  ;  and  upon  further  in- 
quiry I  find  other  gentlemen  have  heard  the  same  in  Bos- 
ton, where  the  word  was  first  used.  I  think  I  have 
sometimes  heard  the  expression,  a  caucus  meeting,     [i.  e. 

I      caulkers^  meeting.]     It  need  hardly  be  remarked,  that  this 
cant  word  and  its  derivatives  are  never  used  i  n  good  writing. 

Census.     The  enumeration  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  United 
States. 

This  term  is  used  by  us  to  denote  merely  the  enumer^ 
ation  of  our  inhabitants  ;  which  is  a  departure  from  the 
signification  of  the  word  in  the  Latin  language,  from 
which  we  have  boiTowed  it.  In  England  they  still  use 
the  old  word  enumeration,  except  when  speaking  of  this 
country.  As  a  technical  term,  however,  Census  may  be 
found  useful. 

Cent,     "  A  copper  coin  of  the  United  States,  value  one 
hundredth  part  of  a  dollar."     Webst.  Diet. 

Certain. 

Dr.  Witherspoon  thus  censures  a  mode  of  using  this 
adjective  in  America  :  *'  A  certain  Thomas  Benson. 
The  word  certain,  as  used  in  English,  is  an  indefinite ;  the 
name  fixes  it  precisely,  so  that  there  is  a  kind  of  con- 
tradiction in  the  expression.  In  England  they  would 
gay,  a  certain  person,  called  or  supposed  to  be  Thomas 
Benson."  Druid,  No.  5.  An  English  friend,  however, 
observes,  that  "  a  phrase  like  this,  *  a  certain  Thomas 
Benson,'  stands  well  in  common  talk  among  the  English  ; 
and  may  pass  occasionally  into  books."  A, 
8 


5» 

CllAlR. 

In  the  Southern  States  this  name  is  given  to  thatkini 
of  one-horse  pleasure-carriage,  which  in  the  JVortlwri 
States  is  generally  called  hy  the  old  English  name,  chaise. 
A  iViend  has  remarked  to  me,  that  "  Chair  is  a  wel 
known  term  in  England  lor  a  carriage  in  use  with  souk 
of  the  English  gently,  having  no  top  and  oidy  t\\( 
wheels.'*  Jl. 
Checkers  or  CiiEquERs.  The  common  name  in  tlie  JVortli- 
ern  (and  perhaps  some  other)  States,  for  the  game,  whi(  I 
in  England  is  called  Draughts. 

Jlsh  has  the  ancient  word  "  Checkerc'''  for  the  chess 
hoard,  (for  which  he  cites  Chancer,)  hut  marks  it  as  obso- 
lete. The  board  is  also  called  a  c/iecfcer-board  in  those 
parts  of  this  country  where  the  game  is  called  checkers. 
"  In  England  (as  a  friend  remarks)  this  is  commonly 
called  a  Draught-hoard ;  and  when  applied  to  the  play^ 
ing  of  chess  it  is  called  a  Chess-board.**  .9. 
Chirk,  adj.  "  In  a  comfortable  state,  cheerful.  JVew  Eng- 
land."   Wehst.  Did. 

Mr.  Webster  (in  another  of  his  works)  after  observ- 
ing upon  the  corrupt  change  of  a  final  p  into  k  in  anoth- 
er word,  makes  the  following  remark  upon  the  word 
chirk — "  By  a  similar  change  of  tlie  last  consonant,  chirk 
is  used  for  chirj),  to  make  a  cheerful  noise.  This  word  is 
wholly  lost  except  in  New  England.  It  is  there  used  for 
comfortably,  bravely,  cheerful ;  as  when  one  inquires  about 
a  sick  person,  it  is  said,  he  is  chirk.  Chirp  is  still  used 
to  express  the  singing  of  birds,  but  the  chirk  of  New 
F'ngland  is  not  undei-stood,  and  therefore  derided.  Four 
hundred  years  ago  it  was  a  polite  term  : 

'  And  klsseth  hire  swete,  and  chirketh  as  a  sparwe 
'  Witli  his  lippes.'— C/joj/c.  Somp.  Tale,  7386." 

Webster's  Dissertations  on  the  English  Language^  p.  387. 


59 

The  verb  chirk  is  not  noticed,  I  believe,  by  any  of  the 
■  I       British  lexicographers  except  Bailey,  (who  also  cites  Chau- 
cer as  his  autliority  for  it,)  and  ^sh.    They,  however,  have 
to  chirp,  in  the  sense  of  to  make  cheerful ;  and  some  of  them, 
in  the  sense  of  to  become  cheerful. 
R  It  should  be  remarked,  that  the  adjective  chirk  is  us- 

ed only  in  the  interior  of  New  England  ;  and  even  there, 
I  think,  only  by  the  illiterate.     It  is  never  heard  in  the 
sea-port  towns. 
I  Chore.     <<  A  small  job,  domestic  work."  Webst.  Diet. 

Mr.  Webster  remarks,  that  "  Chore,  a  corruption  of 
char,  is  an  Englisli  word,  still  used  in  many  parts  of  Eng- 
land, as  a  char-man,  a  char-woman  ;  but  in  America,  it 
is  perhaps  confined  to  J^ew  England.  It  signifies  small 
domestic  jobs  of  work,  and  its  place  cannot  be  supplied 
by  any  other  single  word  in  the  language."  Dissertations 
en  the  English  Language,  p.  112. 

Char,  both  as  a  verb  and  a  nonn,  is  in  all  the  English 
dictionaries,  and  is  not  mentioned  as  either  out  of  use,  or 
provincial.  But  Gi^ose  has  it  in  his  Glossary,  as  one  of  the 
provincialisms  of  the  JVbrth  of  England.  "Char^  a 
particular  business  or  task.  That  char  is  charred,  that 
job  is  dons ;  I  luive  a  little  char  for  you.  Hence  char- 
woman, and  going  out  charing."  He  adds,  that  it  is 
*<  pronounced  in  Wilts,  a  cheure,**  which  apjn'oachcs  to 
our  word  chore.  Walker  says  of  it,  "  In  Ireland  they 
seem  to  have  retained  the  genuine  pronunciation  of  this, 
as  well  as  many  other  old  English  words  ;  I  mean  that 
which  is  agreeable  to  the  orthography,  and  rhyming  w  ith 
tar.  In  English  it  is  generally  heard  like  chair  to  sit  on, 
I      and  its  compound  char-woman  like  chair-woman.*'     See 

also  Diversions  of  Purley. 
Christianization. 

This  substantive  (as  an  obliging  friend  first  remarked 


60 

to  mo)  is  to  br  found  orrasionally  in  our  religious  publica- 
tions.    T\w  verb  to  christianize,  which  is  in  the  dictiona- 
rios,  is  in   use  among  the  English  writei's;  butthiss»6-! 
stantive,  I  believe,  is  never  employed  by  them 
Chunk. 

Dr.  Witherspoon  thus  notices  this  word  :  "  Chunks, 
that  is  brands,  half- burnt  wood.  This  is  customary  in 
tlie  Middle  Colonies.'*  Lriddf  No.  7.  It  is  also  used  in 
the  JVbrthern  States,  to  signify  a  thick,  short  block  or  bit 
of  wood.  In  England  it  is  provincial :  «  Chuck  ;  a  girat 
chip.  Sussex.  In  other  counties  they  call  it  a  Chunk.'* 
Raifs  South  and  East  Country  TFords.  Grose  says  it  is 
also  called  in  some  counties  a  junk.  See  his  Prov.  Gloss, 
The  vulgar  in  this  country  also  (by  whom  these  words 
are  chiefly  used)  say  junk  and  chunk;  and  from  this  last 
substantive  they  have  formed  the  adjective  chunky^  which 
they  often  apply  to  the  stature  of  a  person ;  as,  he  is  a 
short,  chunky  man.  The  English  dictionaries  have  nei- 
ther c/ihti/c  nor  junk;  but  all  of  them  have  c/t?<mp,  in  the 
sense  in  question. 
Church. 

This  word  in  .Tohnson*s  third  signification  (that  is,  a 
place  of  worship)  is  generally  used  in  Mw- England,  to 
denote  the  places  of  worship  of  the  Episcopalians,  as  they 
are  here  called.  The  places  of  worship  of  the  other  de- 
nominations of  Christians  are  called  Meeting-houses.  In 
the  Southern  States,  I  believe,  the  word  Church  is  used  by 
Christians  of  all  denominations. 

A  Church,  as  a  body  of  persons  (to  adopt  the  remarks 
of  a  correspondent)  "  is  distinguished  in  New  England 
fi'om  a  Congregation,  by  the  privileges  which  the  former 
in  general  reserve  to  themselves  of  receiving  exclusively 
in  that  church  the  sacrament  and  baptism  ;  in  conse- 
rpience  of  their  having  publicly  declared  their  assent  to 


61  , 

the  creed  which  that  church  maintains.  Marriage,  bu- 
rial, and  public  worship,  are  open  to  the  members  of  the 
congregation  at  large,  according  to  the  forms  and  meth- 
ods employed  in  each  church  ;  as  are  also  catechizing 
for  children  and  visits  to  the  sick."  .^.  See  Member  of 
the  Church. 

CiTESS. 

This  word,  as  well  as  citizenness,  was  used  in  Amer- 
ica during  the  first  years  of  the  French  Revolution,  as  a 
translation  of  the  Revolutionary  title  Citoijenne ;  but 
it  has  for  several  years  been  wholly  disused.  It  has  been 
considered  by  some  of  the  English  reviewers  as  a  word 
of  American  origin  :  The  British  Critic,  after  entering  its 
"  protest  against  the  new  fangled  term  of  Citixienness,^* 
(which  was  used  by  an  English  translator  of  Madame 
Roland's  Jppeal,')  says :  "  The  Americans  have  coined 
the  term  CitesSf  which  is  better.  See  our  account  of  the 
Bone  to  gnaw.  But  we  hope  not  to  see  any  jargon  of 
the  kind  adopted."  B.  Cnt.  vol.  vii.  p.  267 ;  for  Aprils 
iroi.  Citess,  however,  in  the  sense  of  "  a  city  woman," 
is  in  Johnson's  and  the  other  English  dictionaries  :  But  it 
is  there  said  to  be  "  peculiar  to  Uryden." 

Civ  ISM.     Patriotism,    attachment   to  the   public   welfare." 
Webst.  Diet. 

This,  like  the  preceding  word,  is  one  of  the  produc- 
tions of  the  Frencli  Revolution;  and,  though  frequently 
used  several  years  ago,  is  now  obsolete  here  as  well  as  in 
France.  I  think  it  was  not  more  used  by  Jlmencan  tlian 
by  English  writers.  None  of  the  lexicographers,  I  be- 
lieve, except  Mr.  Webster,  have  noticed  it.  Sec  Inciv- 
ism. 

CiAPBOARD.     "  A  narrow  board  used  to  cover  huildings." 
Webst.  Diet. 

In  England  a  clapboard  is  a  "  board  foimed  ready 


62 

toj-  the  coopn\$  use,  in   ordor  to  make  casks  or  vessels." 
See    liailcifs  Dictionary ^  and    Iiccs*s  CydopadiUf  articles 

H0  4KI)  and  CLAFBOARD. 
C'l.KVKK. 

I'll  is  word  is  in  constant  use  throughout  New  Eni; 
land,  in  a  sense   very  difl'eient  from  the  English.     Tlio 
follow  ijii;  remarks  of  Dr.  M'itlierspoon  will  explain   the 
^imerican  and  tlie  English  significations  : 

**  He  is  a  very  clever  man.  She  is  quite  a  clever  wo- 
man. How  often  are  these  phrases  to  be  heard  in  con- 
vei*sation  ?  Their  meaning,  however,  would  certainly 
be  mistaken  A\hen  heai'd  for  the  first  time  by  one  born  in 
Britain.  In  these  cases  Americans  generally  mean  by 
clever,  only  goodness  of  disposition,  worthiness,  integrity, 
V  ithout  the  least  irgard  to  capacity  ;  nay,  if  I  am  not 
mistaken,  it  is  frequently  applied  where  there  is  an  ac- 
knowledged simplicity  or  mediocrity  of  capacity.  But 
in  Britain^  clever  always  means  capacity,  and  may  be 
joined  either  to  a  good  or  bad  disposition.  We  say  of 
a  man,  he  is  a  clever  man,  a  clever  tradesman,  a  clever 
fellow,  \\ithout  any  reflections  upon  his  moral  character, 
yet  at  the  same  time  it  carries  no  approbation  of  it.  It 
is  exceeding  good  English,  and  very  common  to  say,  Ho 
is  a  clever  fellow,  but  I  am  sorry  to  say  it,  lie  is  also  a 
great  rogue.  AV'hen  cleverness  is  applied  primarily  to 
conduct  and  not  to  the  pei-son,  it  generally  carries  in  it 
the  idea  of  art  or  chicanery  not  very  honourable ;  for 
example — Such  a  plan  I  conless  was  very  clever,  i.  e. 
sly,  artful,  well  conti-ived,  but  not  Acry  fair,"  Druid, 
M.  5. 

In  speaking  of  any  thing  but  man  we  use  the  word 
much  as  the  English  do.  We  say  a  clever  horse,  6cc.; 
and  it  is  not  uncommon  to  see  in  the  London  news-papers, 
advertisements  in  tliis  form — «'  To  be  sold  a  clever  grey 


68 

gelding,"  &c.  Dr.  Jolinson  observes,  tliat  it  « is  a  low 
word,  scarcely  ever  used  but  in  burlesque  or  conversa- 
tion, and  applied  to  any  thing  a  man  likes,  without  a 
settled  meaning." 

€leverlt. 

This  is  much  used  in  some  parts  of  A'*ew  England 
instead  of  well  or  very  well.  In  answer  to  the  common 
salutation.  How  do  ymi  do,  we  often  hear,  I  am  cleverly. 
It  is  also  applied  (as  a  correspondent  observes)  to  other 
things,  as  well  as  to  health  ;  and  "  means  either  adroitly 
or  exactly ;  according  to  the  case."  .^.  Tliis  latter  use 
of  the  word,  however,  I  think  is  not  peculiar  to  Amer- 
icans. 

Clitcht.     Clammy,  sticky,  glutinous. 

I  have  heard  this  word  used  in  a  few  instances  by  old 
people  in  New  England  ;  but  it  is  very  rarely  heard.  In 
Devonshire,  in  England,  tliey  have  the  provincial  word 
clatchy,  in  this  sense ;  and  it  is  doubtless  the  same  word, 
a  little  varied  in  the  pronunciation.  See  London  Month- 
ly Magazine,  for  Jan.  1809,  p.  545. 

Closure.     A  shutting  up  ;  a  closing. 

I  have  never  seen  this  word  but  once  in  any  Jlmerican 
publication — ^'^Very  soon  after  the  closure  of  our  ports,  I 
did  submit  to  the  consideration  of  the  senate  a  proposition," 
&.C.  Letter  to  the  Hon.  H.  G.  Otis,  by  the  Hon.  J.  Q.  Adams, 
Boston,  1808.  The  use  of  the  word  was  objected  to  by 
one  of  our  own  critics,  in  *' Remarks  and  Criticisms**  ou 
this  Letter,  (published  in  the  New  York  Evening  Post) 
in  the  following  terms  :  "  We  object,  too,  to  his  new  word, 
closure,  as  it  is  at  best  a  superfluous  word,  and  has  no 
support  in  analogy."  Dr.  Johnson  has  the  word  closure, 
upon  the  authority  of /?o?//e;  but  it  seems  to  be  rarely, 
if  ever,  used  by  the  writers  of  the  present  day. 


04 

ClothiiuK.  a  i'ullor  ;  ♦•  one  who  fulls  and  scours  clotlia ; 
in  EngUind,  a  maker  of  cloths.'*  TVehst.  Diet. 

Dr.  Jolmson's  quotatiim  from  Shakspeare  shews  that 
the  sij;iiirnati()us  of  clothier  aii(l/it//t'r,  in  England,  were 
at  tliat  time  the  same  as  they  arc  there  at  the  present 
day: 

"The  clothiers  all,  not  able  to  maintain 
The  many  to  them  'longing,  have  put  off 
The  spinsters,  carders,  fullers,  weavers." 

It  is  to  be  observed,  that  altliough  we  use  clothier  for  ful- 
Icr,  yet  the  place,  where  the  cloth  is  cleansed  and  dressed,  Jl 
is  called  a/u//i«5--mill.  ** 

To  Come.     See  remarks  on  the  verb  To  Arrive. 

Companioning.  Used  in  the  following  passage  of  an  Amer- 
ican poem : 

" Azora's  voice, 

Compamoning,  far  sweeter  than  its  own." 

Upon  which  one  of  our  own  writers  makes  this  remark  : 
*'  Companioning  is  a  word  invented  without  taste,  low 
and  unpoetical."  Review  of  Linn*s  Valerian,  a  narrative 
poem,  in  the  Monthly  Anthologij  for  1807,  p.  321.  The 
word  was  never  used  in  this  country,  I  presume,  by  any 
body  but  the  inventor. 

CoMPosuisT.     A  writer,  composer. 

TMs  extraordinary  word  has  been  much  used  at  some 
of  our  colleges,  but  very  seldom  elsewhere.  It  is  now 
rarely  heard  among  us.  A  correspondent  observes,  that  | 
"  it  is  used  in  England  among  musicians.'*  Ji.  I  have 
never  met  with  it  in  any  English  publications  upon  the 
subject  of  music. 

To  CoMPROMiT.  To  commit,  expose,  hazard.  Ex.  The 
government  comp'omitted  itself:  The  minister  compro- 
mitted  the  welfare  of  his  country,  &c. 

This  word  has  been  frequently  used  in  the  oflScial  leti 


65 

tcP3,  which  have  been  published  by  oiir  Government  j 
and  it  has  probably  (like  the  French  verb  compromettref 
from  which  we  derive  it)  be.en  considered  as  an  author- 
ized diplomatic  term.  In  the  former  edition  of  this  Vo- 
cobulary  I  remarked,  that  it  was  sometimes  used  by  Eng- 
lish writers.  But  a  correspondent  says,  <<  Compromitf 
twenty  years  ago,  was  never  used  in  England  ;  and  per- 
haps it  stands  equally  rejected  there  at  the  present  mo- 
ment in  conversation  ;  as  it  certainly  does  with  regard  to 
authors."  He  adds,  that  the  verb  <•  compromise  is  used 
in  the  best  English  society."  J.  This  last  verb  often 
occurs  in  the  Debates  of  Parliament :  "  He  denied  that 
the  good  faith  of  Great  Bi'itain  had  been  compromised  by 
any  of  the  territorial  cessions  which  had  taken  place.'* 
Speech  of  Lord  Castlereagh  March  20,  1815.  Th«  Eng- 
lish, until  lately,  used  the  verb  to  commit,  which,  however^ 
is  not  in  any  of  the  dictionaries  (in  this  sense)  except 
Walker's;  and  there  it  is  said  to  have  been  "first  used 
in  Junius's  letters." 

To  Concur. 

A  corresjwndent  has  reminded  me  of  a  peculiar  use 
of  this  verb,  which  is  not  uncommon  in  some  of  the  North- 
ern States.  Ex.  "  The  house  of  Representatives  has 
passed  a  Resolve  or  liill ;  it  will  not  be  concurred  by  the 
Senate :"  i.  e.  The  Senate  will  not  concur  with  the  House 
in  passing  it. 

To  Conduct. 

This  verb  is  much  used  in  New  P^ngland,  in  conver- 
sation, without  the  reciprocal  pronoun :  Ex.  He  con- 
ducts well,  instead  of,  he  conducts  himself  well.  It  is  fre- 
quently used  in  this  manner  also  by  our  writers  :  "  There 
were  times  when  he  was  obliged  to  exert  all  his  fortitude, 
prudence  and  candour,  to  conduct  so  as  not  to  give  of- 
fence." ElioVs  JVew  England  Biographical  Dictionaryf 
9 


1)0 

p.  '29.  But  this  <•  coriMjpt  idiom"  (as  an  Ent^lisli  travel- 
lir  Justly  rails  if)  is  not  so  firmly  ostablislicd  here,  as 
to  have  entirely  excluded  the  correct  English  idiom.  "  You 
will  conduct  yonrficlf  in  the  oflicc  of  an  attorney,"  &c. 
Momeifs  oath,  in  JMassdchusctts  Slat,  of  1785,  c.  23.  And 
in  the  valuahle  work  of  Dr.  K.  just  cited,  the  verh  is 
sometimes  used  ycilli,  as  ■well  as  without,  the  pronoun  : 
»•  No  man  could  have  conducted  himself  in  tins  office  bet- 
ter." p.  li.  It  is  also  constantly  used  with  the  pronoun 
in  a  late  work,  of  a  New  England  scliolar,  of  giTat  pu- 
rity of  style  :  "  In  every  thing  which  is  innocent  or  indif- 
fv-rent  they  should  permit  him  to  conduct  himself  by  his 
own  discretion."  Sermons  on  particular  occasions,  Boston, 
1S12,  p.  ±\.  The  writers  of  G.  Britain  invariably  nsc 
it  in  this  manner.  "  But  in  what  manner  will  the  House 
co'iiduct  itself?"  Fox's  Hist.  James  II.  p.  3.  "  They  took 
and  pillaged  several  cities,  conducting  themselves  all  tho 
while,  in  such  a  maimer,"  &c.  Robertson*s  Charles  V. 
vol.  ii.  p.  359.  Philad.  ed.  Dr.  Johnson  also  defines  the 
verb  behave,  in  these  words — "  to  conduct  one's  selff*  and 
be  further  remarks,  that  the  verb  behave  also  is  «  used 
almost  alwa}  s  with  the  reciprocal  pronoun." 
2b  Conflagrate.  Ex.  "  With  the  exception  of  conflagra- 
ting the  navy -yard." 

On  this,  and  some  other  words,  an  English  friend 
remarks — "  They  are  so  obviously  uncouth  and  ridicu- 
lous, that  I  think  they  will  do  little  injury,  and  must  be 
considered  as  peculiar  to  the  quaintness  or  ignorance  of 
the  single  writer  that  we  first  obsene  them  in."  This 
word  is  very  rarely  to  be  found  in  American  publica- 
tions :  I  have  never  met  with  it  except  in  the  instance 
above  quoted,  which  was  in  a  newspaper.  It  is  not  in 
the  dictionaries. 


67 

Congress. 

This  word,  originally  a  common  name,  and  still  so  us- 
ed in  England,  has  w  ith  us  become  a  proper  name.  We, 
of  course,  use  it  without  the  article ;  hut  English  MTiters, 
in  speaking  of  Ameiican  affairs,  generally  use  it  -with 
the  article. 

Congressional.  Ex,  "  The  conflict  between  Congressional 
and  State  authority  originated  with  the  creation  of  those 
authorities."  Marshall's  Life  of  Tf'ashington,  vol.  v.  p.  35i. 
An  American  writer  calls  this  one  of  the  "  barbar- 
isms in  common  use  with  us."  See  Monthly  Jlnthologijf 
vol.  vii.  p.  263.  An  English  correspondent,  however, 
observes — "  The  term  Congress  belonging  to  America, 
the  Americans  may  employ  its  derivatives,  without  wait- 
ing for  the  assent  of  the  English.  Congressional  is  analo- 
gous to  parliamentary  in  some  respects."  Ji. 

To  Consider. 

The  use  of  this  verb,  without  as  after  it,  is  thus  crit- 
icised by  Dr.  Witherspoon  :  "  I  do  not  consider  myself 
equal  to  this  task.  The  word  as  is  wanting.  I  am  not 
certain  m  hether  this  may  not  be  an  English  vulgarism, 
for  it  is  frquently  used  by  the  renowned  author  of  Com- 
mon Sense,  who  is  an  Englishman  born ;  but  he  has  so 
iiappy  a  talent  of  adopting  the  blunders  of  others,  that 
nothing  decisive  can  be  inferred  from  his  practice.  It 
is,  however,  undoubtedly  an  Americanism,  for  it  is  used 
by  authors  greatly  superior  to  him  in  eveiy  respect." 
Druid,  No.  5.  This  idiom  sometimes  occurs  in  English 
writers. 

Considerable. 

This  word  is  still  fjequeiitly  used  in  the  manner 
pointed  out  by  Ur.  AVithersjxKui  in  tli<'  following  remark : 
**  He  is  considerable  of  a  surveyor  ;  considerable  of  it  may 
be  found  in  the  country.  This  maimer  of  speaking 
jwevails  in  the  nortliern  parts."     Dniid,  No.  7. 


()8 

Coxsori  VTinx. 

This  tonn,  which  signifies  (as  Mr.  Webster  explains 
it)  "  a  convention  of  pastors  and  messengers  of  churches," 
is  used  in  Connecficut ;  and  I  had  supposed  it  to  be  pe- 
culiar to  that  State  ;  at  least,  in  the  sense  in  question. 
But  I  find  (as  a  clerical  fiiend  first  informed  me)  that 
it  was  used  in  tlK'  *«  Result  of  the  Synod"  at  Boston  in 
the  year  1662 ;  thougli  pei'ha])s,  not  exactly  in  the  sense 
which  it  has  in  Conncdkul :  "  Consociation  of  churches, 
is  their  mutual  and  solemn  agreement  to  exercise  com- 
munion in  such  acts  as  aforesaid,  amongst  themselves, 
witli  special  reference  to  tliose  churches,  which  by  Prov- 
idence are  ])Iaced  in  a  convenient  vicinity,  though  ^vith 
liberty  reserved  without  offence,  to  make  use  of  others, 
as  the  nature  of  the  case,  or  the  advantage  of  opportunity 
may  lead  thereunto."  Question  ii.  Tlie  word,  however, 
is  not  in  use  in  Jlassaduisetts  at  the  present  day. 

Constable. 

The  follow  ing  distinction  is  made  by  Mr.  Websterj 
betvveeen  the  English  and  American  significations  of  this 
w  ord  :  "  In  England,  a  governor  or  commander  ;  in  Jimtr- 
ica,  a  town-officer  of  the  peace  with  the  powers  of  an 
under-sheriff."  A  writer  in  the  Monthly  Anthology  speaks 
of  this  as  "  an  idle  attempt  to  exhibit  a  distinction  be- 
tween them."  Entick  and  other  lexicographers  define 
constable,  **  a  kind  of  peace-officer ;"  and  it  is  the  fact,  I 
believe,  that  in  many  of  the  cities,  boroughs,  and  other 
local  jurisdictions  in  England,  they  have  peace  officers 
called  constables,  whose  powers  are  not  mateiially,  if  at 
all,  different  from  those  of  our  constables. 

Consternated. 

I  never  met  with  this  uncommon  word  in  the  wi'itings 
of  any  Americans,  except  in  the  follow  ing  instance :  "  When 
it  was  found  that  General  Hampton  w  as  not  at  St.  Regis, 


69 

his  place  of  rendezvous,  all  ranks  were  consiernaiedJ* 
Letter  from  an  officer  in  Gen  TVilkinson^s  army,  in  Dec, 
1813.  The  only  English  dictionary,  in  which  I  find  it, 
is  Jisli's ;  and  it  is  there  said  to  he  *'  not  sirfficientlif  au- 
thoriz^ed.'* 
Constituted  authorities. 

The  officers  of  government  collectively,  in  a  king- 
dom, city,  town,  ^c.  This  expression  has  heen  adopted 
by  some  of  our  writers  from  the  vocabulary  of  the  French 
Revolution.  "  Neither  could  he  perceive  danger  to  liber- 
ty except  from  the  constituted  antJionties,  and  especially 
from  the  executive."  Marsh.  Life  of  Washing,  vol.  v.  p. 
354.  The  English,  I  think,  have  used  it  only  in  trans- 
lations from  the  French. 
Constitutionality. 

"  The  state  of  being  agreeable  to  the  constitirtion,  or 
of  affecting  the  constitution."  Wcbst.  Diet.  "  The  ar- 
gument upon  this  question  has  naturally  divided  [itself] 
into  two  pai-ts,  the  one  of  expediency,  the  other  of  consti- 
tutionality.'* Debates  in  Congress,  on  the  Judiciary  hill 
in  1802,  p.  76. 

This  word  is  not  in  Johnson  nor  Mason ;  nor  have  I 
been  able  to  find  it  in  any  other  English  dictionary.  I 
do  not  recollect  it  in  any  Englisli  publications.  The 
adjective  constitutional  is  used  in  England  as  well  as  in 
this  country. 
Contemplation. 

A  distinguished  foreigner,  \\]\o  resided  in  England 
many  years,  and  is  well  acquainted  with  the  language* 
upon  his  arrival  in  this  country,  was  struck  with  tlie 
frequent  recurrence  of  this  Mord  in  conversation  ;  as, 
♦'  1  have  it  in  contemplation  to  do  such  a  thing ;  for,  1 
intend  to  do  such  a  thing."  I'he  expression  is  not  un- 
common in  English ;m6/ic'«fio7Js;thougli  1  do  not  recollect 


70 

it  in  conversation.     A  coiTospondcnl  remarks,  that  it  ii:  . 
•Misf'il   both   in  books   and    conversation  in    England} 
lint  possibly  not  so  IrcqiK'ntly  as  in  the  United  States."  j3. 

To  CoNTIJIVK. 

Dr.  M  itherspoon  has  the  folhnving  remarks  on  a 
sini^idar  use  of  this  ^^  ord  :  »'  I  wish  wc  could  contrive  it 
to  Phila(U*lphia.  The  words  to  carry,  to  have  it  carried, 
or  some  such,  arc  wantiiij^.  It  is  a  defective  construction, 
of  which  there  are  too  many  tliat  have  already  obtained 
in  practice,  in  spite  of  all  the  remonstrances  of  men  of 
letters."  JDruid,  J\\).  5. 

I  doubt  whether  this  strange  expression  is  ever  used 
at  the  present  day.  I  never  heard  it  myself,  nor  have 
I  found  any  person  that  has  heard  it  from  any  class  of 
people  in  this  country. 

To  Convene. 

This  is  used  in  some  parts  of  New  England  in  a  very 
strange  sense ;    that    is,  to  be  convenientf    fit,  or  suita-  | 
ble.    Ex.  This  road  \\  ill  convene  the  public  ;  i.  e.  will  be 
convenient  for  the  public.     The  word,  however,  is  used 
only  by  the  illiterate. 

Convenient  to. 

A  writer  in  the  Montlily  Anthology  (for  August  1808, 
p.  438)  censures  the  following  use  of  this  word  in  Mar- 
siiall's  Life  of  AVashington,  vol.  iii.  p.  120.  "  The  army 
was  convenient  to  the  highlands."  This  expression  is 
not  often  to  be  found  in  American  publications, 

CorPERs. 

The  common  name  in  New  England  for  British  half- 
pence ;  which,  until  the  coinage  of  our  Cents,  constituted 
the  copper  currency  of  this  country  :  "We  used  to  say  a 
copper's  -ii'orlli  of  any  thing,  as  in  England  they  would 
say  a  penny  worth.  The  name  is  already  nearly  ob- 
solete. 


J 


71 

Dorks. 

The  steel  points  fixed  under  the  shoes  of  horses,  in 
the  winter,  to  prevent  tliem  from  falling,  on  the  ice.  It 
is  the  same  thing,  that  in  Johnson's  and  other  dictiona- 
ries is  called /rosf-naiis.     From  the  noun  we  have  formed 

I     a  verh  to  corkf  and  we  accordingly  say,  the  horse  is  cork- 

I  edf  &c.  I  do  not  find  the  term  or  its  derivatives  in  any 
of  the  English  dictionaries,  except  Ash*s,  where  the  par- 
ticiple corking  is  thus  explained — •»  turning  up  the  heels 
of  a  horse's  shoes."  Mr.  Webster  has  both  the  noun  and 
the  verb. 

Corn. 

This  word,  in  many  parts  of  the  United  States,  and 
particularly  in  JVew  England,  signifies  exclusively  Indian 
corji,  or  maize,  which  has  been  the  principal  sort  of  corn 
cultivated  in  those  pai-ts  of  the  country.  Wheat,  rye, 
and  the  other  sorts  of  corn  are  generally  called  grain, 
and  frequently  English  grain.  In  England,  corn  is  a 
general  term,  (as  it  was  here  used  by  our  old  writers,) 
and  means  all  sorts  of  grain  that  are  used  for  bread. 
**  Corn,  in  Agriculture,  a  term  applied  to  all  sorts  of  grain 
fit  for  food ;  particularly  wheat,  lye,  &c. — I'lie  farmers, 
indeed,  rank  under  the  denomination  of  corn  several 
other  grains,  as  barley,  oats,  and  even  pulse,  peas,  vetch- 
es, &c.  which,  however,  they  sometimes  distinguish  by 
the  denomination  smaller  corn."  Rees*s  Cyclop,  art.  Corx. 
A  correspondent  says,  tlic  term  "  Corn  among  tiie  English 
is  more  peculiarly  applied  to  rivheal."  Jl.  The  meal  of 
Indian  corn  (which  we  call  Indian  meal)  is  in  Enghmd 
generally  called  Indian  corn  meal. 

Corx-Blades.     "  Leaves    of  maixc.    fSoulJiern   States.*^ J 
Wehst.  Did. 

Corn-Stalks.     (Used  generally  in  the  plural  number.) 

The  farmers  of  New  England    use  tliis   term,  and 


inoro  liTqiionlly  the  sinii)lc  term,  slnlks,  to  denote  the 
iippcr  jjart  of  llio  stalks  of  Indian  corn  (above  the  ear  J 
\vhi(  h  is  (lit  off  while  green,  and  then  dried  to  inako 
fodder  for  their  cattle. 

OossKT.     »»  A  lanil).  &r.  brought  up  by  hand."     Bailey. 

This  word  is  used  in  JVcw  England,  in  this  sense, 
and  also  to  signify,  a  favourite  or  darling.  In  the  South- 
ern Stales  (as  in  England  J  they  use  the  word  pet.  The 
word  cosset,  applied  to  a  lamb,  6cc.  is  noticed  by  Rarff 
(from  whom  Grose  copies  it,)  as  a  provincialism  of  Nor- 
folk and  Suffolk,  llajfs  South  and  East  Country  words. 
It  is  ill  all  the  dictionaries.  In  Jlees^s  Cyclopcedia  it  is 
simply  called  a  tei-ni  in  Rural  Economy,  but  is  not  noted 
as  provincial. 

CouNTERACTiox.     A  Counteracting. 

This  is  sometimes,  though  I'arely,  nsed  by  American 
writers  in  the  following  manner :  «  He  prevailed  over  bis 
enemies  by  the  counteraction  [counteracting]  of  their  de- 
signs." It  is  not  in  any  of  the  English  dictionaries,  and 
is  very  rarely  nsed  by  English  authors.  I  have  however, 
met  with  the  ftdlowing  instance  of  it :  <*  All  the  eloquence 
and  fire  of  Demosthenes  could  not  rouse  the  Athenian 
people  to  a  timely  dread  or  ntaiAy  counteraction  of  the  for- 
midable plans  of  Philip."     Brit.  Crit.  vol.  i.  p.  51. 

County. 

In  speaking  of  countieSf  the  names  of  which  are  com- 
pounded of  the  word  shire,  (for  example,  Hampshire, 
Ilerksliii'e,  kc.)  we  say  the  county  of  Hampshire,  the 
county  of  Berksltire,  kc.  In  England  they  would  say, 
either  Hampshire  or  Berkshire  simply,  without  the  word 
county  ;  or,  the  county  of  Hants,  the  county  of  Berks,  &c. 
The  word  shire  of  itself,  as  every  body  knows,  means 
county;    and  in  one  instance,  (in  Massachusetts,)  this 


latter  word  is  used  instead  ofsldre,  as  a  partofthe7ia?ne.* 
« the  county  of  Duke's-Countij." 
Creature. 

An  English  traveller  makes  the  following  remark  on 
this  word  :  "  Creaturef  pronounced  creaiiiVf  is  used  in 
New  England,  in  regard  to  men,  in  all  the  senses  of  the 
French  animal,  bite  and  iiionstre.**  Kcmlars  Travels, 
vol.  iii.  p.  255.  In  the  plural  number  it  is  in  very  com- 
mon use  among  farmers  as  a  general  term  for  horses, 
oxen,  &c.  Mx.  The  creatures  will  be  put  into  the  pas- 
ture to  day.  It  is  frequently  so  used  in  the  old  laws  of 
some  of  the  States.  "  The  owners  or  claimers  of  any 
such  creatures  [i.  e.  <  swine,  neat-cattle,  horses,  or  sheep'] 
impounded  as  aforesaid,  shall  pay  the  fees,"  kc.  Prov- 
ince Laws  of  Massachusetts,  Stat.  10.  IVni.  3.  A  corres- 
pondent also  observes,  "  He  has  killed  a  beef-creatur  (or 
creature)  to  day,  is  a  New  Engliind  expression.*' 

In  New  England  this  word  is  used  only  in  its  old 
English  sense,  that  is,  <»  a  part  of  the  sea  which  runs  into 
the  land."     In  Pennsylvania  (and  perhaps  some  other 
States)  it  means  also  a  brook,  or  small  7iver. 
DitocK.     The  black  of  a  pot,  or  of  a  chimney. 

A  writer  in  the  Monthly  Anthology,  (vol.  vii.  p.  203.) 
in  reviewing  Mr.  Webster's  dictionary,  where  this  word 
is  found,  says — "  Crock  is  iiuleed  common  enough  in  this 
section  of  the  country  ;  but  it  is  not  an  English  word,  and 
our  Southern  brethren  ridicule  us  for  using  it."  It  is, 
in  fact,  only  a  provincial  word  in  England,  and  is  men- 
tioned as  such  by  Mason,  who  cites  Ray's  South  and  East 
Country  Words  ;  and  in  this  latter  work  both  the  noun  and 
the  verb  are  marked  as  peculiar  to  Essex,  in  Ejiglaiul. 
Grose  also  has  it  as  a  provincial  word.  It  is  never  used 
here  but  in  conversation.  A  correspondent  savs  :  "  Uhi 
10 


\ 


74 

fdcc  IS  I  roi  kcd  (ill  over,  is  jiii  expression  iainiliai*  to  tUo 
comnioii  jR'ople  of  Eiii^land." 

C'kow-har.     Am  iron  (•i'o\\,  or  simply,  a  crow,     (Used  ii 
Aew  Kn!j;lan(l.) 

Crmv-bnr  is  "  a  name  often  provindallif  applied  to  an 
iioM  crow  or  lever."  Recs^s  Cyclop.  Marshoil  has  it 
an)onc;  ilie  »*  I'roviiicialisins  of  West  Devonshire,'*  See 
Rural  Econ.  of  West  of  Engl.  vol.  i. 

To  Cultivate.  "  While  these  (in  the  phrase  of  a  New  En- 
gland writer)  arc  cultivating  the  ocean."  K'endaUs 
TravelSy  vol.  ii.  p.  113.  This  application  of  the  word, 
must,  I  think,  have  been  a  peculiarity  of  the  writer  al- 
luded to  :     I  never  knew  it  to  be  thus  used  in  America. 

Curious. 

This  word  (as  a  friend  first  remarked  to  me)  is  often 
heard  among  the  conmion  farmers  of  New  England,  in 
the  sense  of  excellentf  or  peculiarly  excellent  j  as  in  these 
expressions  :  «  These  arc  curious  apples  ;  this  is  curious 
rider,"  kc.  A  correspondent  also  inforjns  me,  that  he 
once  noticed  it  in  the  Diary  of  one  of  our  country  clergy- 
Jtien  (written  nearly  a  century  ago)  where  this  remark 
w  as  made  against  one  of  the  days  of  the  month  ;  '*  Curi- 
ous hay -weather."  Tliisuse  of  the  word  is  hardly  known 
in  our  sea-port  towns. 

CrsTOMABiiE,  *•  Subject  to  duties.  (Laiv  of  Massachusetts.**  J 
Wehst.  Did. 

This  word  I  presume  was  never  in  use.  I  never 
licai'd  it  among  lawyers  in  Massachusetts ;  and  mercan- 
tile friends,  to  w  horn  1  have  mentioned  it,  do  not  recollect 
hearing  it  used.  The  word  dutiahle  is  sometimes  heard 
in  conversation.     See  Dutiable. 

To  Dkuaiik. 

The  British  Critic  notices  the  use  of  this  word  (among 
otliers)  as  one  of  the  faults  of  style  in  the  Official  Letters 


/a 

o/"  General  Washington.  After  observing,  in  general 
terms,  that  "  in  point  of  style  and  composition  they  [the 
letters]  are  entitled  to  no  ordinary  praise,"  and  that 
« they  may  he  received  npon  the  whole  as  excellent 
models  in  their  kind,"  the  reviewers  add  :  "  "NVc  cannot, 
hoAvever,  but  take  notice  in  derogation  from  our  general 
praise  for  correctness  of  style,  that  some  few  Gallicisms 
occur ;  such  as  derange  for  disarrange  ;  grade  for  step, 
debark  for  disembark,  &c.  which  we  do  the  more  scrupu- 
lously, because  it  is  a  vice  of  the  times,  to  corrupt  the 
language  by  introducing  foreign  terms,  without  regard 
to  the  just  analogy  of  formation,  and  witliout  rational 
ground  of  preference  for  melody,  or  force,  to  genuine 
English  words  of  similar  import."  Brit.  Cnt.  vol.  vi. 
p.  237  ',  for  Sept.  1795. 

These  remarks,  it  will  be  observed,  were  made  twenty 
years  ago,  since  whicli  time  the  verb  debark  has  been 
more  in  use  among  the  English.  It  is  often  to  be  seen 
in  the  dispatches  of  British  officers  ;  and,  perhaps,  is 
<onsidered  rather  as  belonging  to  the  language  of  milita- 
ry men,  than  as  a  word  in  genei'al  use.  I  have,  howev- 
er, obsemed  it,  in  one  instance,  in  a  British  publication 
of  high  rank  :  Sec  Edinb.  Rev.  vol.  i.  \>.  41.  The  verb 
derange  also,  which  is  here  condemned,  is  nctw  frequently 
used  in  Great  Britain.  See  Derange. 
iDecedenT;.  *'  One  dead.  (Law  of  N.  Jersey  and  Pennsyl- 
vania.)"   Webst.  Did. 

This  word  is  unknown  in  the  Northern  States  even 
as  a  technical  term. 
:  Decent.  Tolerable ;  pretty  good.  Ex.  He  is  a  decent 
scholar ;  a  decent  writer  ;  he  is  nothing  more  than  decent. 
This  word  has  been  in  common  use  at  some  of  our 
colleges,  but  only  in  the  language  of  conversation.  The 
adverb  decently  (and  possibly  the  adjective  also)  is  some- 


76 

linips  used  in  a   siniihir  mnniicr  in  some  ]iaits  oC  Grout 
Britain  :  •'  Tiic  ivi'ratcr  part  of  the  pieces  it  contains  may 
be  said   to  b«'  very   ikccnfhj  written."     Edinh.  Rev.  vol. 
i.  p.  120. 
Declensio.v. 

We  sometimes  sec  this  word  nscd  in  our  ncws-papeis, 
in  speaking  of  a  person's  declining  to  be  a  candidate  foi' 
nrtice.  E,i\  In  consequence  of  the  decknsinti  of  our  candi- 
date, wc  sliall  be  obliged  to  vote  for  a  new  one. 
'fo  Deed.     *'  To  give  or  transfer  by  deed."  IVtbst.  Did. 

We  sometimes  bear  this  verb  used  colloquially;  but 
rarely,  except  by  illiterate  peoi)le.  It  is  considered  as 
a  low  word.  None  of  our  writers  would  employ  it. 
It  need  hardly  be  observed,  that  it  is  not  in  the  English 
dictionaries. 
To  Degenerate,  v.  active.  To  cause  any  thing  to  de- 
generate. 

One  of  our  reviews  has  censured  the  use  of  degene- 
rate, as  an  active  verb,  in  the  writings  of  a  well  known 
American  author  :  <»  Wc  would,  therefore,  take  the  liber- 
ty of  recommending  to  the  revision  of  Dr.  Smith  the 
following  expressions — <  Idleness  degenerates  every  thing ; 
and  mere  amusement,  wliere  it  occupies  a  large  portion 
of  our  time,  evaporates  the  greatest  and  most  respectable 
qualities  of  human  nature.'"  Monthly  Magazine  and 
American  Review  fJYcw  Fork  1799)  vol.  i.  p.  362 ;  in  a 
review  of  Sermons  by  the  Rev.  Samuel  Stanhope  Smith. 
I  have  never  met  with  any  other  instance  of  this  verb, 
used  actively,  in  American  publications. 
Degree.  Used  iii  this  expression :  To  a  degree ;  that  is, 
extremely.  "  AVe  learn  that  the  situation  of  the  inhab- 
itants was  distressing  to  a  degree."  Charleston  (So.  Car- 
uLiimJ  City  Gazette,  .Sug.  30,  1813. 

An  observing  friend,  who  ha^  resided  in  South  Cnro- 


77 

Una,  informs  me,  that  this  expression  is  very  common  there  | 
but  not,  he  thinks,  among  people  of  education.  I  do  not 
recollect  hearing  it  in  New  England.  It  is  not,  howev- 
er, exclusively  American,  but  has  been  used  in  Great 
Britain  j  and  several  years  ago  was  ridiculed  there  as  an 
innovation.  See  Dialogues  of  the  Dead,  by  James  IL 
Beattie:  Dial.  iii. 

Delinquency. 

The  use  of  this  word  in  the  following  passage  of 
BancroJVs  Life  of  Washington  (p.  207)  is  condemned  by 
the  English  reviewers :  »<  The  delinquency  of  the  United 
States  to  prepare  for  the  approaching  campaign  ;"  that 
is,  (say  the  reviewers,)  *' tardiness  or  unwillingness.'* 
British  Critic,  for  1810,  p.  182.  It  is  not  mucli  used  here  ; 
I  never  saw  it  in  any  other  instance  than  the  above. 
A  correspondent  remarks,  that  "the  term  might  pass 
between  friends  in  conversation,  in  England." 

Bemoeaxization.    «  Tlie  destruction  of  morality."  TJ'ehst. 
Did. 

This  noun  (as  well  as  the  verb  demoralize  J  is  some- 
times used  by  American  writers.  It  is  also  to  be  found 
in  some  English  authors ;  but  it  is  not  acknowledged  by 
the  critics  of  Great  Britain  as  a  legitimate  word.  The 
Edinhirgh  Reviewers,  in  theii*  remarks  on  a  work  of 
Miss  Helen  Maria  Williams,  thus  sppak  of  this,  and 
other  words  :  "  Throughout  all  these  comments  we  have 
the  same  contempt  of  Jlnglidsm,  as  in  the  translation. 
AVc  have  imperiurbabUify  again,  and  demoralixation.-* 
Edinb,  Rev.  vol.  iii.  p.  216. 

To  Demoralize.     To  corrupt,  undermine,  or  destroy  moral 
principles."  IVebst.  Diet. 

This  (like  the  preceding  noun)  has  been  adopted 
from  the  French  since  the  revolution.  It  is  used  by  some 
English  writers,  but  perhaps  not  so  often  as  by  us.     It  is 


78 

not   ill  any   of  Iho  (li(  tiojiarics,   I   believe,  cxa-pt   Mr. 
>Vel»st(>r's. 

Depautmexts.     See  Heads  of  Departments. 

DErvHTMENTAL.     "  IVi'taiiiiiig  to  a  department."     Jrebst. 
Diet. 

This  adjective  lias  been  ranked,  by  one  of  our  oavu 
critics,  amons;  our  »•  barbarisms."  See  Monlldy  Anlliol. 
vol.  vii.  p.  263.     It  is  not  i?i  the  English  dictionaries. 

To  Dei'keciate  ;  v.  neut.  to  fall  in  value. 

In  America  this  verb  (like  appredate,J  is  used  as  a 
verb  neuter.  The  English,  in  writing,  always  use  it  as 
a  verb  active.  But  (a  corres])ondent  observes)  «  an  En- 
glishman might  be  found  saying,  in  conversatioHf  *  their 
paper-money  depreciates  fast.'  ** 

7b  Deputize.     To  depute. 

This  word  is  sometimes  heard  here  in  conversation^ 
but  rarely  occurs  in  u'riting.  I  have  never  met  with  it 
but  once  in  any  of  our  publications :  "  They  seldom 
think  it  necessary  to  deputize  more  than  one  person  to 
attend  to  their  interests  at  the  seat  of  government." 
Description  of  Mintucket,  in  the  Port  Folio  for  January 
1811,  p.  33.  Mr.  Webster  has  noted  it  as  a  Connecticut 
word.  It  is  also  used  in  other  parts  of  New  England, 
but  has  always  been  considei'ed  as  a  mei*e  vulgarism. 
The  only  English  dictionary,  in  which  I  have  found  it, 
is  Bailey's;  where  it  is  mentioned  in  a  collection  of  words 
subjoined  to  his  Pi'cface  (second  folio  edition)  under  the 
title  of  "  Words  in  some  Modern  Authors,**  which  did  not 
occur  fill  the  Dictionary  was  entirely  printed.  It  is,  how- 
ever, omitted  in  the  octavo  edition  (of  1761,)  and  none  of 
the  succeeding  lexicographers  have  thought  it  worthy  of 
notice. 

To  Derange. 

The  British  Critic  (as  will  be  seen  above  in  the  re- 


79 

marks  on  the  verb  to  debark  J  censures  the  use  of  dcrangCf 
in  Washington'' s  Official  Letters,  as  a  Gallicism.  It  had 
however  been  used  in  the  preceding  volume  of  that 
Review :  "  That  Robespieri-e  might  fall  without  derang- 
ing the  general  system,"  &c.  £.  Crit.  vol.  v.  p.  77.  And 
it  has  since  been  often  used  in  other  Reviews  :  «  Derang- 
ing the  main  operations  of  society.'*  Edinh.  Rev.  vol.  i. 
p.  356  ;  and  again  at  p.  376.  It  was  not  noticed  by  any 
of  the  English  lexicographers,  I  believe,  before  Walker 
and  Mason  inserted  it  in  their  works. 

Derogatory. 

The  use  of  this  adjective  at  the  end  of  a  sentence 
(instead  of  degrading)  has  been  criticised  by  Englishmen 
as  an  Americanism.  Ex.  The  government  did  such  an 
act,  which  was  very  derogatory :  Sucli  conduct  is  very 
derogatory. 

Desk.    A  pulpit. 

An  English  traveller  thus  notices  the  use  of  this 
word  in  Connecticut :  "  The  pulpit,  or,  as  it  is  here  called, 
the  Desk,  was  filled  by  three  if  not  four  clergymen  ^  a 
number,  which  by  its  form  and  dimensions,  it  w  as  able 
to  accommodate."  Kendal's  Travels,  vol.  i.  p.  4.  It  is 
also  used  in  some  other  States  :  "  They  are  common  to 
every  species  of  oratory,  though  of  rarer  use  in  the  desk,'* 
Sic.  Adams'*  Lectures  on  Rhetoric,  vol.  i.  p.  198. 

Destitution.     Want,  deficiency. 

This  is  criticised  in  an  English  painpldet  on  America., 
(see  the  note  on  the  verb  To  bottom  J  as  one  of  our  words : 
Ex.  "  Is  it  not  true  that  our  destitution  of  competent  fleet  s 

and  armies,  the  state  of  our  finances combined  to  fur- 

nisb,"  he.  Address  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of 
Massachusetts  in  answer  to  the  Governor's  Speech,  June, 
Session,  1813.  This  word  is  in  the  dictionaries,  but  is 
not  in  use  in  England  at  the  present  day- 


80 

7b  Devolve. 

AiiuM'ican  writera  sometimes  employ  this  verb  in  an 
active  sense:  "On  Sir  George  Yeardly,  vvliom  he  ap- 
pointed ,s:ovornor  of  Virginia,  and  on  his  council  he  devoir- 
vtl  <he  whole  lei^islative  and  executive  powers  of  the  col- 
ony," &c.  Mirshall*s  Life  of  WashingtoUf  vol.  i.  p.  72-. 
Jimer.  edit.     In  the  London  quarto  edition  of  that  work, 

the  expression  is  thus  altered :  On  Sir  George  Yeardly 

devolved  the  whole  legislative  and  executive  powers,  &c. 

Tills  use  of  devolve,  though  to  be  found  in  good  En- 
glish writers  a  century  ago  (see  Johnson's  dictionary)  is 
not  common  at  the  present  day.  It  is  censured  by  tlie 
reviewers,  in  a  modern  English  work.  See  Bnt.  Crlt. 
vol.  xxii.  p.  363  ;  Review  of  Card's  Revolutions  of  Russia. 
Dictation.  A  dictating.  Ex.  "  Was  not  this  an  arbitrary 
dictation  to  a  national  vessel  ?" 

This  word  is  in  Johnson,  upon  the  authority  of  former 

Dictionaries ;  but,  as  Ash  says,  it  is  "  not  much  used" 

in  England  ;  and  it  can  liardly  be  said  to  be  in  common 

use  in  this  country. 

Dime.    "  A  silver  coin  of  the  United  States,  of  ten  cents." 

Wehst.  Did. 
Disconnexion. 

This  word  is  not  in  Johnson  ;  and  it  has  been  censur4 
ed   by  an  American  writer,  as  an   unauthorized  word| 
See  Monthly  Anthology,  vol.  iv.  p.  281.     It  is,  however," 
sometimes  used  by  English  authors.     Mason  lias  it  in 
his  Snpplemeid,  upon  the  authoiity  of  Burke  ;  as  he  has 
also  the  participle  disconnected.    A  correspondent  says — 
"  Disconnected  has  been  more  in  use  in  England  than 
disconnexion.     The  latter,  liowever,  is  at  least  a  conveni- 
ent word." 
Disdain.    Contempt. 

Dr.  Witherspoon  gives  the  following  example :  *'  I 


81 

should  have  let  your  performance  sink  into  a  silent 
disdain."  He  then  observes  :  «  A  performance  may  fall 
into  contempt,  or  sink  into  oblivion,  or  be  treated  with 
disdain ;  but  to  make  it  sink  into  silent  disdain^  is  a  very 
crude  expression  indeed."  No  American  author  at  the 
present  day  would  use  the  word  disdain  in  this  exti'aor- 
dinary  manner. 

To  Disorganize  ;  Disorganizer,  &;c.     See  To  Organize. 

DociTT,  (pronounced  dossity.^ 

A  low  word,  used  in  some  parts  of  the  United  States, 
to  signify  quick  comprehension.  It  is  used  only  in  con- 
versation, and  generally  with  a  negative,  thus :  He  has 
no  docihj.  It  is  a  provincial  word  in  England.  See 
Grose's  Prov.  Gloss.  I  do  not  find  it  in  any  of  the  dic- 
tionaries, except  Baileifs  (fol.  edit.  1736)  and  JsK's  ;  in 
which  last  it  is  said  to  be  "  an  incorrect  spelling"  of 
docility.  In  this  country  it  is  a  local  word,  and  is  employ- 
ed only  by  the  same  class  of  speakers,  that  would  use  the 
low  word  gumption^  which  is  also  provincial  in  England. 
See  Gumption. 

Domestics. 

It  has  been  remarked  by  Englishmen,  that  tlie  peo- 
ple of  New  England  call  their  servants  domestics.  The 
correlative  master  is  also  very  seldom  used  in  the  A''orthern 
States.  Domestic  is  "  a  term  of  somewhat  more  extent 
than  that  of  servant,"  See  Rees's  Cyclop. 

Dominant. 

"  The  dominant  party,  the  dominant  faction,"  kc.  are 
common  expressions  with  our  political  writers.  Johnson 
(as  well  as  otlier  lexicographers)  has  the  word  in  his 
dictionary,  but  he  cites  no  autliority  for  it.  It  has  been 
used  by  some  writers  in  Enghmd ;  and  has  been  thus 
censured  by  tiic  Reviewers  :  "  When  we  have  objected 
to  dominant^  resistless  for  unresisting,  and  arrondissement, 
It 


uc  have  cxliaustinl  i)ur   chief   v.v^c  as  verbal   critics." 
liritish  Criiic,  vol.  i.  p.  53  ;  Review  of  MfreiTs  Letters. 

Tb  Doom.     To  tax  at  discretion.     Mrv  England, 

When  a  perst)n  nea;lects  to  make  a  return  of  his 
taxable  property  to  tlie  assessors  of  a  town,  those  officers 
(loom  him  ;  that  is,  judge  upon,  and  fix  his  tax  according 
to  theii'  discretion.  "  The  estates  of  all  marchants,  shop- 
keepers, and  factors  shall  be  assessed  by  the  rule  of  com- 
nion  estimation,  according  to  the  will  and  doom  of  the 
assessors."  Massachusetts  Colony  Laws,  p.  14.  edit.  1660. 

Doomage.     "  A  fine  or  penalty.     Law  qfJKiw  Hampshire" 
Jf'ebst.  Dkt. 

To  DOXOLOGIZE. 

A  friend  has  pointed  out  to  me  an  instance  of  tlie^ 
use  of  this  verb  (which  was  new  to  me)  in  one  of 
o  periodical  works:  *' No  instance  is  to  be  found  iu 
which  primitive  Christians  doxologized  the  Spirit  of  God 
as  a  Person.'*  Christian  Disciple,  \o\.  ii.  p.  295.  I  never 
met  with  the  word  in  any  other  American  work ;  and  I 
have  no  I'ccollection  of  seeing  it  in  any  English  publica- 
tion. It  may,  possibly,  be  a  part  of  the  professional 
language  of  divines.  The  only  English  dictionaries  in 
which  I  have  found  it  are  ^sh^s,  and  the  folio  edition  (of 
the  year  173fi)  of  Baileifs.  Jlsh  gives  it  on  the  authority 
of  "  Scott.-'  In  the  octavo  edition  of  Baileifs  (of  1761) 
it  is  omitted  ;  as  it  is  also  in  Johnson's.  Mr.  Webster  has 
not  inserted  it  in  his  work. 
Drouth.     Drought. 

People  of  education  in  America  have  always  avoided 
using  the  word  drmith,  considering  it  as  a  mere  vulgar 
cori'uption  of  drought.  Mr.  Webster,  however,  in  the 
learned  preface  to  his  Compendious  Dictionarij,  following 
the  etymology  of  the  word,  as  given  by  Ikrne  Tooke,  dc- 


83 

iends  drouth  as  the  genuine  word,  and  condemns  drought 
as  the  corruption  : 

"  Drought  and  height  (says  he)  are  corruptions  of 
drugothe  and  heath  ;  which  the  Saxons  formed  from  dryg 
and  heh  or  heah,  drtj  and  high^  by  adding  the  termination 
ih  as  in  length  from  leng  ;  strength  from  streng,  and  as  we 
form  truth  from  true^  width  from  wirfe,  xvarmth  from 
warm.  The  Saxon  termination  if/i  is  universally  preserv- 
ed in  the  popular  pronunciation  of  this  country  ;  and  so 
far  is  it  from  being  an  error  or  corruption,  that  it  is  the 
very  essence  of  the  nouns  drouth  and  hightlu  Men  there- 
fore who  use  this  pronunciation,  though  chargeable  with 
*  a  zeal  for  analogy,'  as  Johnson  observes  of  Milton,  and 
though  they  may  not  imitate  Garrick  as  Walker  does, 
will  still  have  the  honor  to  be  correct,  and  to  preserve 
the  purity  of  the  original  oi-thography.  They  will  further 
have  the  honor  of  conforming  to  what  is  in  fact  the  na- 
tional pronunciation,  and  has  been,  from  the  earliest  re- 
cords of  our  language.  Height  is  an  innovation  compar- 
atively modern  ;  and  drought  is  the  Belgic  dialect  of  tiie 
Teutonic  ;  but  neither  of  these  words  existed  in  the  Sax- 
on, the  parent  of  our  language."* 

In  the  same  manner,  as  also  appears  from  Tooke's 
work,  the  English  as  well  as  ourselves  have  departed 
from  "  the  original  orthograpliy"  of  several  other  words 
of  the  same  form.  After  showing  the  etymology  of  height 
and  some  other  nouns,  (wliich  he  observes  ai'e  respective- 
ly the  third  persons  singular  of  the  indicatives  of  various 
Saxon  verbs)  Mr.  Tooke  says  :  "  It  has  been  remarked 
indeed,  that  Milton  always  wrote  beigth,  as  our  ancient 
autliors  also  did;  but  the  word  is  now  commonly  written 
height.**  And  (he  adds)  that  thougjj  this  seems  to  oppose 
his  etymology,  yet  the  same  thing  has  happened  to  many 

*  Compendious  Dictionary,  Preface,  p.  vii. 


84 

otlur  worus.  ♦•  So  it  lias  liapiKMicd  (says  he)  to — Micnn- ; 
which  Ihp  Aiii;;lo-Saxoiis  wrote  ma-geth,  or  mfigthc,  i.  c. 
\\h:\\  oiii>  iiKnu'tli  ;  (inantmii  potest  aut  valet  aliquis. 
^Mi^^lit  is  flio   third    juisou   siui^-wlar  of  tlic   indicative  o!" 

magaii  posse,  valcrc Sight  ;  Mliix  h  the  Anglo  Saxons 

wrote  sith  and  sithc,  i.  e.  that  faculty  which  seefh.  The 
tliird  person  singular  ol'  the  indicative  of  seoUf  videre. 

"NVeight  ;  Ang.  Sax.  wngeth.   The  third  person 

singular  of  the  indicative  of  tvwgan,  to  weigh.  The 
weight  of  any  thing,  that  is,  that  which  it  weiglieth.*** 
But  althouglj  tliis  was  the  **  original  ortliography"  of  all 
these  words,  yet  (as  he  observes  of  the  ancient  word 
droHgUi)  "  Custom  has  transposed  the  TH." 

I  shall  only  add,  that  the  noun  drowth  and  its  adjec- 
tive drowthy,  and,  in  addition  to  these,  the  verb  drow, 
(which  last,  1  believe,  is  unknown  in  America)  are  still 
])rovincial  in  England  :  "  Brow  ;  to  dry.  The  hay  don't 
drorwij  at  all.  Drowth  ;  dryness,  thirst.  Drowthy  ;  dry, 
thirsty."  Vocabulary  of  the  Somerset  Dialect,  in  the  Lon- 
don Monthly  Magazine,  vol.  xxxviii.  p.  331 ;  for  Nov. 
181  k 

i3uTiABLE.     "Subject  to  duties  or  impost."  JFebst.  Diet. 

The  use  of  this  word  in  MarshaWs  Life  of  Washingt(m, 
vol.  ii.  p.  73,  has  been  censured  by  a  writer  in  one  of  our 
periodical  works.  See  Monthly  Anthology,  vol.  v.  p.  438. 
It  is  little  used  even  in  conversation. 

Eaglk.     a  gold  coin  of  tlie  United   States,  of  the  value  of 
ten  iloUais. 

Educational. 

A  friend  has  given  me  the  following  instance  of  the 
use  of  this  word  ;  wliich  was  new  to  me  :  "  It  is  believ- 
ed tliat  there  is  not  an  individual  of  the  college  who 

*  Diversions  of  I'urley,  pari  ii.  cli.  5. 


85 

woTilcl,  if  questioned,  comphiin  that  he  has,  in  any  in- 
stance, felt  himself  pressed  Mitli  opinions  which  interfered 
with  liis  educational  creed."  Report  to  the  Trustees  of  the 
College  of  JNT3W  Jersey^  relative  to  a  revival  of  religion 
among  the  Students,  ^r.  by  Dr.  Jshbel  Green,  President  of 
the  College;  as  published  in  the  FanopUst,  for  June,  1815, 
p.  287. 

PRITHEE. 

Dr.  Withcrspoon  has  the  following  remarks  on  the 
use  of  this  word  :  "  The  United  States  or  either  of  them. 
This  is  so  far  from  being  a  mark  of  ignorance,  that  it  is 
used  by  many  of  the  most  able  and  accurate  speakei*s 
and  writers,  yet  it  is  not  English.  The  United  States 
are  thirteen  in  number,  but  in  English  either  docs  not 
signify  one  of  many,  but  one  or  the  other  of  tivo.  I  im- 
agine either  has  become  an  adjective  pronoun,  by  being 
a  sort  of  abbreviation  of  a  sentence,  where  it  is  used 
adverbially,  either  the  one  or  the  other.  It  is  the  same  with 
SKarsPog  in  Greek,  and  alteruter  in  Latin."  l)ndd, 
No.  5.  But  Johnson  says,  '<  it  is  used  sometimes  of  more 
than  two ;  any  one  of  a  certain  number  ;  any  of  an 
indeterminate  number." 

7'o  Energize.  To  impart  energy.  Ex.  instead  of  aiding 
and  energizing  the  police  of  the  college,"  &c.  The  Brit- 
ish Spy,  published  in  Virginia. 

This  word  is  noted  as  "  unauthorised,"  by  a  writer 
in  the  Monthly  Anthology,  vol.  i.  p.  035.  I  never  saw  it 
in  any  other  American  work. 

Episcopalians. 

This  term  is  thus  noticed  by   an  English  traveller : 

"  One  church belongs  to  the  members  of  the  Church 

of  England,  here  called  Episcopalians.^'  Kendal's  Travels, 
vol.  i.  p.  88. 


11 


86 


EqUALLY  AS. 

Dr.  AVithcrspooii  ])iits  this  iimoiii;  liis  Americanisms, 
111-  obsorvi'S — ♦»  KqiKilly  us  well,  and  equally  fl.s  good. 
This  is  rrequeiit  in  conversation  and  public  speaking.  It 
is  also  to  be  found  in  sonic  publicatiojis,  of  whicli  it  is 
needless  to  name  the  authoi-s;  but  it  is  just  as  good  En- 
glish to  say,  the  moat  highest  mountain  in  America." 
Dniid,  jNo.  6. 
Esq,uiRE. 

In  America  this  is  often  joined  with  the  title  of  Hon- 
ourable. Ex.  The  Honourable  A.  B.  Esquire.  It  is  never 
thus  used  in  England.  Since  the  former  edition  of  this 
Vocabulaiy  was  published  I  have  seen  this  peculiarity 
noticed  (by  l)eing  put  in  Italics)  in  a  well  known  En- 
glish Review :  *•  Not  even  M.  Chateaubriand  could  have 
displayed  a  more  ardent  enthusiasm  on  this  occasion 
than  the  honourable  Esquire  before  us."  MontMij  Review, 
vol.  Ixxv.  p.  107  ;  Review  of  an  Oration  by  the  Honourable 
Gouv.  Morris  Esquire.  An  English  friend  has  favoured 
me  with  the  following  remai'ks  on  this  subject :  **  Hon- 
ourable in  England  is  commonly  applied  to  the  son  of  a 
peer,  of  the  rank  of  a  baron,  he.  It  is  also  applied  to 
a  member  of  tlie  House  of  Commons,  in  debate;  but 
members  of  that  house  have  no  such  title  out  of  parlia- 
ment, and  mucli  less  after  they  have  ceased  to  be  mem- 
bers of  parliament.  In  Massachusetts  they  say  in  their 
Proclamations,  *  By  his  Excellency  Caleb  Strong  Es- 
quire ;^  which  must  seem  a  perfect  solecism  among 
the  English ;  where  Esquire  (armiger)  literally  means 
only  the  military  attendant  of  a  Knight  (eques.'*) 
Another  English  friend  has  informed  me  that  in  the 
Britist  West  Indies  they  use  Esquire  with  Honourable,  as 
we  do. 


87 

StnoGiuM. 

A  writer  in  the  Monthly  Anthology  (vol.  i.  p.  609)  ob- 
serves that  "  enlogium  is  not  an  English  word."  But 
this  writer  is  certainly  mistaken.  It  is  in  common  use 
with  all  the  English  and  Scottish  reviewers ;  and  occurs 
much  oftener,  I  think,  that  the  Anglicised  term  eulogy, 
Eulogiuirif  however,  is  not  in  Johnsoii's  dictionary,  nor 
in  Mason's  Supplement,  nor  do  I  find  it  in  any  of  the 
English  dictionaries  except  Walker- s ;  and  it  was  not 
inserted  in  the  early  editions  of  that  work.  It  is  inserted 
in  the  fourth  London  edition  (1806)  with  this  short  re- 
mark— *<The  same  as  eulogy." 

fb  Eventuate.     "  To  issue,  come  to  an  end.'*  Wehst.  Diet. 
A  correspondent  has  reminded  mc  of  this  word,  which  is 
much  used  hy  some  of  our  writers.     It  is  not  in  the  dic- 
tionaries; and,  I  think,  is  rarely,  if  ever,  used  by   En- 
glish authors. 

SviDENTIAt. 

AVe  sometimes  hear  this  word  from  our  pulpits ;  but 
I  do  not  recollect  seeing  it  in  any  of  our  publications.  It 
is  not  in  the  dictionaries ;  and  I  think  it  is  not  in  com- 
mon use  witli  English  writers.  A  friend,  however,  has 
given  me  the  following  instance  of  it  in  a  celebrated 
English  work:  "Equivalent  to  that  belief  itself  and 
evidential  of  it."  Christian  Obaerver,  vol.  xiii.  p.  765. 
To  Evoke.  Ex.  Every  pliantom  of  jealousy  and  fear  is 
evoked.  Letter  of  the  Jlon.  J.  Q.  Mams  to  the  Hon.  11.  G. 
Otis,  p.  30. 

The  Editor  of  the  JVew  York  Evening  Post^  in  "  Re- 
marks and  Criticisms"*  on  this  letter,  says — "  We  doubt 
wljether  the  verb /o  evoke  Iw  P^iiglisli  ;  tlie  substanti^e 
evocation  is  an  English  word."  Another  writer  (at, 
Boston)  seems  to  intimate  that  f-voked  here  may  be  a 
mistake  of  the  printer  lor  /r/-voko<l.     The  v.'i'lj  pvo]:c.  is 


88 

not  ill  Jolmson's  dictionary :  But  Eidick  and  some  otlicrs 
have  it ;  and  (as  a  friend  informs  mc)  it  is  used  in  the 
Costle  of  IndolencCf  canto  iT,  and  by  Warburton,  in  one 
of  liis  Letters. 

Exchangeability.     See  Exchangeable. 

Exchangeable. 

This,  and  the  word  Exchangeability  arc  noticed,  as 
unautlioriscd  words,  by  a  writer  in  the  J\Ionthly  Anthology 
(vol.  i.  p.  635)  who  observes,  that  they  are  used  in  JVash- 
ington''s  [Official]  Letters,  vol.  ii.  pp.  80,  94-,  257.  I  do 
not  find  them  taken  notice  of  by  any  lexicographer,  ex- 
cept Mr.  Webster.  A  correspondent  remarks,  tliat 
••  Exchangeability  is  never  used  in  England ',  and  that 
Exchangeable  can  only  be  used  in  tlie  most  familiar 
conversation."  I  have  lately  observed  the  latter  word 
used  in  an  English  Review .-  "  An  attempt  is  made  to 
exact  labour  into  an  universal  and  immutable  standard 
of  the  exchangeable  value  of  all  commodities."  Bnt.  CriU 
vol.  xliv.  p.  185.  "  By  setting  up  labour  as  the  stan- 
dard of  exchangeable  value,"    &c.  ibid. 

Executive. 

This  word  is  now  in  general  use  here,  as  a  noun, 
signifying  the  Executive  Power,  or,  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  in  whom  that  power  is  vested. 

A  \NTiter  in  the  Monthly  Jintlwlogy  (for  1808,  p.  437) 
seems  to  think  tliat  "  we  have  succeeded  in  incorporating 
it  into  the  language,  as  it  is  in  general  use  in  England." 
It  is  certainly  sometimes  used  in  England ;  but  very 
I'ai'cly,  except  where  the  writer  or  speaker  is  alluding  to 
the  Executive  of  the  United  States,  and  seems  to  employ 
it  as  an  .American  name.  In  the  preface  to  tlie  London 
edition  of  Ramsay's  History  of  the  Aniencan  Revolution 
(which,  liowever,  was  publislied  twenty  years  ago)  it  is 
classed  among  those  American  words,  which  the  English 


i 


89 

have  listened  to  without  as  yet  adopting.'*  An  English 
friend,  however,  after  remarking,  that "  an  adjective  some- 
times assumes  a  substantive  form,  as,  the  military^  the 
hiteriorf'*  &c.  adds — "  Some  have  thus  used  the  expression 
<  tlie  legislative ;'  but  it  seems  not  to  have  established 
itself  every  where  in  the  United  States,  and  much  less  in 
England.  The  Executive  has  been  used  in  a  substan- 
tive form  by  some  even  in  England ;  but  in  1792  M. 
Necker,  in  his  work  Du  Pouvoir  Executif  dans  les  GMnds 
Etats,  universally  kept  the  terms  executif  and  legislatif 
to  their  adjective  form."  The  Constitution  of  the 
United  States  says,  the  Executive  Powers  and  never  sim- 
ply, the  Executive. 

To  Expect.     To  suppose,  think. 

"  In  most  parts  of  the  world  people  expect  things 
that  are  to  come.  But  in  Pennsylvania^  more  particu- 
larly in  the  metropolis,  we  expect  things  that  are  past. 
One  man  tells  another,  he  expects  he  has  had  a  very 
pleasant  ride,  &C....I  have  indeed  heard  a  wise  man  of 
Gotham  say,  he  expected  Alexander  the  Macedonian  was 
the  greatest  conqueror  of  antiquity."  Port  Folio,  1809, 
p.  535.  This  use  of  the  verb  expect  has  now  extended 
to  other  pails  of  the  United  States.  A  friend  informs  me 
that  it  is  common  in  Virginia  and  other  Southern  States, 
and  it  is  now  considerably  used  in  the  JSTorthern  States  ; 
but  I  have  been  informed  by  observing  persons,  that 
not  more  than  thirty  years  ago,  the  people  of  New  En- 
gland used  to  remark  upon  it  as  a  peculiarity  of  the 
Southei'n  States.  It  is  provincial  in  England  :  "  Expect, 
suppose,  Mrth.*'     Grose's  Prov.  Gloss, 

Factory. 

This  is  a  new  word  in  America,  and  is  doubtless  au 
abbreviation  of  vmnvfactory  ;  the  latter  word,  indeed,  is 
not  in   Johnson^s  and  some   other  Englisli  dictionaries, 
IS 


90 

Iml  il  is  ill  Mason's  Siipiilcment,  >\  alkcr's  Dictionary, 
and  Rees's  Cyclopaidia,  and  is  ^^cll  known  to  be  in  com- 
mon nsc  in  England.  'J'lic  word  Factory  (according  to 
ReesJ  is  ai)i)licd  "  in  some  of  the  manufacturing  counties 
[in  England]  to  the  places  where  particular  jjrocesses  of 
tlie  manufacture  arc  carried  on;"  but  its  common  En- 
glish meaning  is  well  known  to  be  (as  Johnson  gives  it) 
*«  a  house  or  district  inhabited  by  traders  in  a  distant 
country,"  and  "  the  traders  embodied  in  one  place." 
To  Fall.    To  fell,  to  cut  do\Mi. 

A  reviewer  in  the  Monthly  .Anthology  (vol.  v.  p.  438) 
condemns  this  as  an  "  Jlmencan  barbarism"  in  the  fol- 
lowing passage  of  MarslialVs  Life  of  Washington :   «  For 
the  purpose  of  cooperating  w  ith  the  continental  troops 
in  breaking  up  the  bridges,  falling  trees  in  the  roads," 
6ic.  vol.  iii.  p.  456.     Dr.  Belknaj),  in  his  History  oJJSfeTV 
Hampshire,  and  all  other  American  writers  whose  works 
1  have  consulted,  use  to  fell ;  and  to  fall  has  always  been 
considered  as  a  vulgarism  in  JVew  England.     The  verb 
to  fall,  in  this  sense,  is  to  be  found,  indeed,  in  some  of 
the  English  dictionaries,  but  most  of  them  do  not  admit 
it.     It  is  in  the   English   part  of  Mnsxcm'th,  but  in  the 
Latin  part,  under  both  the  words  referred   to,  he  says 
to  fell  trees.     It  is  also  in  Ash,  Sheridan,  and  Walker ; 
the  last  of  whom  has  evidently  copied  Slieridan.     But 
it  is  not  in  Johnson,  Mason,  Bailey,  Barclay,  P^ntick,  and 
various  others.     To  fell  is  constantly  used  by  Evelyn, 
throughout  the  chapter  of  felling  trees,  in  his  Sylva, 
(which  was  first  printed  in  i664)  and  the  same  term  is 
also  used  by  his  editor,  the  late  Dr.  Hunter,  in  his  notes 
on  that  work.     It  is  also  constantly  used  in  Rees^s  Cyclo- 
pa'dia :  See  articles,  Felling  of  Timber,  Ash  Tree,  &c. 
Some  of  the  English  statutes,  however,  have  the  verb 
to  fall.    By  the  13  Geo.  3.  c.    8  it  is  enacted,  that  there 


91 

shall  be  reserved  to  the  owners  of  ground  over  which 
highways  are  made,  "  all  timber  and  wood  growing  upon 
such  ground  to  be  fallen  and  taken  by  such  owTier  or 
owners  within  one  month  after  such  order  shall  have 
been  made,  or  in  default  thereof  to  be  fallen  by  the  said 
surveyor,  &c. 
Faxl.     Autumn. 

A  friend  has  pointed  out  to  me  the  following  remark 
on  this  word  :  "  In  North  America  the  season  in  which 
this  [tlie  fall  of  the  leaf]  takes  place,  derives  its  name 
from  that  circumstance,  and  instead  of  aiituvin  is  univer- 
sally called  the  fall."     Rees*s  Cijclopctdia,  art.  Decidu- 
ous Leaves  ;  "written  by  Dr.  J.  E.  Smith,  President  of  the 
Linnoian  Society, 
To  Fault.     *'  To  charge  with  a  fault ;  to  accuse."  Johnson. 
I  have  heard  this  verb  used  in  a  few  instances  by  old 
people  ;  but  it  is  nearly  obsolete  here  ;  and  Jish  says  it  is 
"  not  much  used"  in  England. 
Federalist.     "  A  friend  to  the  Constitution  of  the  United 
States."  Webst.  Diet. 

Mr.  "Webster  also  has  Federal,  as  a  noun  of  the  same 
meaning ;  but  this  is  never  heard,  except  in  the  mouths 
of  the  most  illiterate  people ;    and  it  has  always  been 
considered  as  a  corruption  of  Federalist. 
Fellow-countrymen. 

"  This  (says  Dr.  Witherspoon)  is  a  word  of  frequent 
use  in  America.  It  has  been  heard  in  public  orations 
from  men  of  the  first  character,  and  may  be  daily  seen 
in  news-paper  publications.  It  is  an  evident  tautology, 
for  the  last  word  expresses  fully  the  meaning  of  both.  If 
you  open  any  dictionary,  you  will  find  tlie  wovdcoimtrpnan 
signifies  one  born  in  the  same  country.  You  may  say, 
fellow-citizens,  fellow-soldiers,  fellow-subjects,  fi'l]o\\- 
christians,  but  not  fellow-countrymen."     Druid,  No.  h. 


113 

To  tlirsr  irniaiks  T  -will  only  add,  Uiat  Swift  begins  tli(> 
Drapior's  Letters  thus — ♦♦Bj'i'tliren,  Friends,  Couvtrij- 
meuy  and  Fdlow-Subjeds  ;"  and  ends  them  in  the  same 
manner — '»  I  am,  my  dear  countrymen^  your  loving  Jel- 
/ow  subject,  /fWow -sufferer,"  &c.  A  Iriend,  however, 
has  pointed  out  to  me  an  instance  of  the  use  of  fellow- 
countrymen  in  a  late  work  of  a  well  known  English  wri- 
ter.   ^Qc  Sonthcy's  Lfe  of  jKVson,  \o\.  iu  \i.  257.    Jim.  ed. 

Fiducial.     "  Confident ;  undoubting."  Johnson. 

I  have,  in  one  or  tw  o  instances,  heard  this  word  used 
by  our  divines  ;  as  it  formerly  was  by  the  English.  I 
tliink  it  is  never  used  by  Englisii  writers  of  the  present 
day. 

F1RSTI.Y. 

This  adverb  is  frequently  used  by  American  writers. 
None  of  the  dictionaries  have  it;  and,  I  had  supposed, 
tliat  it  had  never  been  used  by  English  writers.  An  En- 
glish friend,  how  ever,  says — "  Some  English  hyper-critics 
(if  we  may  be  allowed  the  term)  have  said  firstly  ;  but 
the  number  of  them  has  been  small.  The  framcrs  of 
our  langufige,  however,  might  reasonably  have  said 
firstly."^-  The  word  first  seems  always  to  have  been 
considered  by  English  writers  both  as  an  adverb  and  an 
adjective :  "  This  action  [in  an  epic  poem]  should  have 
three  qualifications  in  it ;  first,  it  should  be  a  great 
action ;  secondly,  it  should  be  an  entire  action ;  and 
thirdly,  it  sliould  be  a  great  action,"  Spectator,  JVb.  267  ; 
et  passim.      **  The    other   purposes  are  to    show ,  first, 

that  tlic  time  of  the  remarks  was  the  favourable  time 

secondly,  that  on  the  enemy's  side,"  &c.  Burke*s  Fourth 
Letter  on  the  Regicide  Peace.  The  following  is  the  only 
instance  I  have  seen  o{  firstly  in  an  English  work: 
<*They  will  in  some  measure  be  enabled  to  determine, 
firstly,  &c.  Brit.  Crit,  vol.  xliv.  p.  577;  for  Dec,  1814. 


93 

[i'lSK.     The  Treasury,  or  Exchequer. 

This  word  has  hcen  proposed  by  the  learned  trans- 
lator of  Bynker shock* s  ^ncEst.  Jnr.  Pub.  as  an  addition  to 
our  language.  He  uses  it  in  the  text  of  his  author,  and 
then  has  tliis  note :  "  As  we  make  use  of  the  words 
fiscal,  confiscate,  confiscation,  why  sliould  we  not  adopt  in 
America  the  word ^s/c,  from  the  Latin ^scms,  wliich  is  the 
root  of  all  these  derivatives.'*  Buponceaii's  liifnkcrs- 
Iwek,  p.  51.  No  otlier  writer  in  this  country,  I  bi^lievc, 
has  made  use  of  the  term.  The  Ejiglish  wiiters  com- 
monly render  the  word  Fiscus  by  Treasurif :  '<  As  tlie 
Romans  say,  such  goods  as  are  forfeited  to  the  Emperoi's 
Treasury  for  any  offence  are  bona  confiscata,  so  we  say 
of  those  that  are  forfeited  to  our  King's  Exchequer." 
Jacob's  Law  Lictionary,  by  Tomlins.  Burke  employs 
the  word  Fisc,  as  a  French  term  :  "  When  they  had 
resolved  to  appropriate  to  the  Fisc,  a  certain  portion  of 
the  landed  property  of  their  conquered  country,"  &c. 
Refi£ctions  ;  vol.  iii.  of  his  Works,  p.  252,  Boston  edit. 

Floor.  Used  in  Congi-ess,  in  this  expreasion — To  get  tlie 
fioor  ;  that  is,  to  obtain  an  opportunity  of  taking  a  part 
in  a  debate.  The  English  say,  to  be  in  possession  of  the 
House :  "  Lord  J.  rose  at  the  same  time  with  the  Hon. 
Baronet,  but  the  Speaker  decided  that  the  Hon.  Baronet 
tvas  in  possession  of  the  House,  if  he  claimed  his  right.'* 
Debates  in  Parliament,  Jan,  7,  181*  5  as  reported  in  the 
news-papers. 

Folks. 

This  old  word  is  much  used  in  JV*cw  England  instead 
o^  people  or  persons.  1.  For  the  persons  in  one's  family  ; 
as,  in  this  common  phrase  :  how  do  your  folks  do  ;'* 
that  is,  your  family.  2.  For  people  in  g(>ncral ;  as  in 
expressions  of  this  kind  :  What  do  folks  think  of  it,"  kc. 
Dr.  Jo/mson  observes,  that  "it  is  now  used  only  in  l\\- 


^ 


94 


Miilinr  or  Imrlisquo  lan^-iiagc."  In  New  Euglaiid,  il  i 
Irss  usi'd  now  than  Ibrnicily. 
FoRTED  IN.  Ex.  "  A  few  inhabitants  forted  in  on  thi 
Pofomac.  Used  in  MarshalVs  Life  of  fVashington,  vol.  ii 
|).  28  ;  and  aniinadvei-ted  upon  by  a  writer  in  the  Month 
hj  Jlnihnlogij,  \o\.  v.  j).  4.S8. 
To  Fourfold.  "  To  assess  in  a  fourfold  ratio.  TVebst 
Diet. 

I  believe  tliis  is  peculiar  to  the  State  of  Conncciicui. 
Fredonia,  Fredonian,  Frede,  Fredish,  &c.  &c. 

These  extraordinary  words,  which  have  been  desc^ 
vedly  ridiculed  here  as  well  as  in  England,  were  projws- 
cd  sometime  ago,  and  countenanced  by  two  or  three 
individuals,  as  names  for  the  territory  and  people  of  the 
United  States.  The  general  term  American  is  now  com- 
mouly  understood  (at  least  in  all  places  where  the  En- 
glish language  is  spoken,)  to  mean  an  inhabitant  of  the 
United  States ;  and  is  so  employed,  except  where  unusual 
precision  of  language  is  required.  English  writers  in 
speaking  of  us  always  say,  the  Americans,  tlie  American 
government,  the  American  ambassador,  &,c.  "The 
French,  indeed,  (as  a  correspondent  observes)  extend  the 
appellation  Americans  (AmericainsJ  to  the  inhabitants 
of  the  West  Indies.*'  Their  w  riters,  accordingly,  some- 
times distinguish  us  by  the  name  of  Anglo-Americans. 
The  words  Fredonia,  &c.  are  never  now  used  in  the 
United  States,  except  by  way  of  ridicule. 
Freshet. 

This  word  is  peculiar  to  New  England  at  the  present 
day,  and  means,  (as  Dr.  Belknap  oljserves,  in  his  His-' 
tory  of  JSTew  Hampshire,  vol.  iii.  pref.)  "  a  river  swollen 
by  rain  or  melted  snow  in  the  interior  country,  rising 
above  its  usual  level,  spreading  over  the  adjacent  low 
lands,  and  rushing  with  an  accelerated  current  to  the 


93 

sea.  Ill  this  sense,  (Dr.  B.  adds)  it  is  understood  in 
New  England ;  and,  as  it  is  a  part  of  the  language  of 
the  age  and  country  in  which  I  write,  it  is  frequently 
used  in  this  volume."  The  word,  it  seems,  had  been 
noticed  (in  another  work  of  Dr.  Belknap's)  by  the 
Monthly  Reviewers,  who  made  this  remark  upon  it — 
"We  are  not  acquainted  with  this  word."*  In  the 
next  number  of  the  Review,  Dr.  Belknap  informs  us, 
*<  a  correspondent  kindly  attempted  to  correct  what  he 
imagined  to  be  *  an  errour  of  the  press,'  by  substituting 
the  word  fresh  in  its  place ;  meaning  a  tide  or  flowing  of 
fresh  in  distinction  from  salt  water.  But  the  reviewers 
were  not  satisfied  that  there  was  any  errour  of  the  press ; 
and  in  fact  there  w  as  not ;  the  word  freshet  is  a  term 
familiar  to  the  people  of  New  England,  as  it  was  to 
their  forefathers,  who  brought  it  from  England,  where  it 
was  equally  familiar  in  the  last  century."  Dr.  Belknap 
then  cites  two  authorities  for  the  word  ;  the  first  is  from 
Milton's  Paradise  Regained,  Book  II.  line  3*5,  which  is 
also  given  by  Johnson  : 

" all  fish  from  sea  or  shore. 

Freshet  or  purling  brook,  of  shell  or  fin." 

Upon  which  Dr.  Belknap  remarks,  "  It  seems  this  author, 
by  a  freshetf  meant  a  spreading  collection  of  fresh  water, 
distinguished  from  a  brook."  The  commentators  on 
Milton  seem  to  have  understoood  it  to  mean  a  stream. 
In  Todd's  edition  of  Milton's  works  thei'c  is  the  follow- 
ing note  on  the  above  lines :  "  Freshet,  a  stream  of  fresh 
water.  So  Browne  in  his  Brit.  I'astorals  1616,  B.  II.  s. 
iii.  of  fish^ 

Who  now  love  the  freihet,  and  then  love  the  sea." 
It  is  possible,  indeed,  that  Milton  employed  the  term  in 
ihe  sense  in  wliich  we  do.     It  will  be  observed,  that  tl>« 

*  '  Month.  Rev.  f«v  Feb.  17Sr,  p.  139.' 


mImiIc  pas-sai;*'  ( oiisisls  o['  aiilitlieses ;  and  freslu't  iiui\ 
prrhiips  liavc  bcon  usi-d,  not  in  opposition  to  a  hrooh 
simply,  but  to  a  **  pnrliii^  humk.^*  'Vim  otliiT  authority 
cilcd  I)}  Dr.  B.  is  the  Description  of  JVew  England^  writ- 
ten and  published  in  Enj^hind,  in  16.^8,  by  Ferdinando 
Ciors^es,  who  uses  the  word,  .is  Dr.  B.  justly  observes, 
precisely  in  the  sense  in  which  it  is  now  undeixtood  in 
New  Ens^land  :  "  P.  29 — Between  Salem  and  Charles- 
town  is  situated  the  town  of  Lynn,  near  to  a  riv<  r. 
Mliose  sti'oiii:;  freslid  at  the  end  of  Avinter  filletb  all  her 
banks,  and  with  a  violent  torrent  vents  itself  into  the  sea." 
But  if  Milton  did  use  this  word  in  poetry,  and  Gor- 
ges in  prose,  almost  two  centuries  ago,  does  it  follow 
that  it  is  now  a  part  of  the  English  language?  If  this 
rule  should  be  ado])ted,  it  would  authorize  us  to  use  many 
words,  w  hich  would  be  as  new  to  Americans  of  the  pres- 
ent day,  as  freshet  was  to  the  English  Reviewers.  The 
English  would  doubtless  use  the  term  floods  or  freshes, 
as  is  done  in  the  following  example,  by  an  English  trav- 
eller in  New  England  :  "  This  bridge,  like  the  others 
ha\  ing  been  carried  away  by  the  floods  or  freshes,  here 
called  fnshets,""  &c.  KendaVs  Travels,  vol.  i.  p.  291. 
The  Encyclopcedia  Brittanica  also  has  the  term  Fresh- 
es ;  but  says  it  is  "a  local  term,  signifying  annual  inunda- 
tions, from  the  rivers  being  swollen  by  the  melted  snows 
and  otlier  fresh  waters  from  the  uplands,  as  is  the  Nile, 
&c.  from  periodical  or  tropical  rains."  One  of  Johnson''s 
definitions  of  Flood  is,  « the  swelling  of  a  river  by  rain  or 
inland  flood  ;  and  Ttees'^s  Cyclopctdia  says,  "  Fresh  denotes 
the  rise  of  water  in  a  river,  or  a  small  flood."  But 
fresh  is  provirwial  in  England  according  to  Grose,  who 
defines  it  thus :  *'  Fresh,  a  flood  or  overflowing  of  a 
river.  Tliis  hca\y  rain  will  bring  down  the  freshes. 
Noi-t!)."  The  people  of  the  Soutliern  States  use  the 
'woTii  fresh. 


97 

Froisdesce.  To  put  forth  leaves.  ^*His  powers  bc!2;an 
now  to  frondesce  and  blossom."  Eulogy  on  Br.  Rush  bij 
JJiUiam  Staughton,  D.  D. 

This  remarkable  word  is  peculiar  to  the  writer  here 
quoted. 

Frough  and  Froughy. 

The  latter  of  these  words  is  in  very  common  use  in 
many  parts  of  JVew  England  ;  but  I  do  not  find  it  in  the 
English  glovssaries.  It  is  doubtless  a  corruption  of 
Frough,  whicli  is  sometimes  used  here,  and  which  is  pro- 
vincial in  Great  Britain:  ^* Frough;  loose,  spungy: 
Frough  wood  ;  brittle."  Ray's  JS'orth  Country  Words.  Se» 
Brash. 

Gawky. 

This  is  sometimes  used  (in  conrcrsntionj  by  the  peo- 
ple of  New  England,  in  the  same  manner  as  in  the  JS''orth 
o{ England,  where  it  is  provincial:  ^*  Gaxvky ;  awkward, 
generally  used  to  signify  a  tall,  awkward  pereon.  Noilh." 
Grose^s  Prov.  Gloss. 

To  GiRDiE.  «  The  method  is  tliat  of  girdling  tlie  trees ; 
which  is  done  by  making  a  circular  incision  through  the 
bark,  and  leaving  them  to  die  standing."  Belknap^s  Ilist. 
dfMw  Hampshire,  vol.  iii.  p.  131. 

This  is  animadverted  upon,  as  an  unauthorLzed  word, 
by  a  writer  in  the  Monthly  Jnthology,  vol.  i.  p.  635 ;  and 
it  is  also  noticed  as  an  Americanism  in  Kendal's  Travels, 
vol.  i.  p.  235.  Mr.  Webster  lias  admitted  it  into  his  dic- 
tionary ;  but  apprises  his  readers,  that  it  is  pecidiar  to 
Jlmerica. 

Glut.     A  large  wooden  wedge.  A''crv  England. 

Tliis  is  an  English  provincialism.  See  MarshaWs  Ru- 
ral Economy  of  tlie  Midland  Counties^  and  Rees''s  Cijrlo- 
pmdia. 


ys 


Gondola. 

This  ^vol•(l  is  thus  noticed  and  explained  by  an  Eu- 
i;lish  liaveHer  :  "Vessels  of  the  hiirden  above  described 
are  tloated  (lo^vn  to  the  sea  hy  means  of  flat  boats  or 
lii^hters,  here  [in  I'ortsniouth,  New  Hampshire]  called 
GondolaSf  and  elsewhere  Scows.  Kendars  Traveb,  vol. 
iii.  p.  31.  Tiic  term  Gondola  is  also  used  in  otlier  parti 
of  New  England.     Sec  Scow. 

To  Go  BY. 

A  New  England  friend,  who  has  travelled  in  the 
Soiitliern  States,  has  favoured  me  witli  the  following  re- 
marks on  this  expression  :  *<  I  heard  this  used  in  JS'hrth 
Carolina.  Mr.  B.  asked  me  to  stop  and  dine  with  him 
tvlien  I  was  passing  his  liousCf  by  saying,  'Will  you  go 
by  and  dine  \vith  me.'  When  I  mentioned  this  singular 
expression  to  some  gentlemen  afterwards,  I  was  told  it 
was  often  used.  Its  origin  is  very  natural.  When  a  gen- 
tleman is  about  riding  a  great  distance  through  that 
country,  where  there  are  few  great  roads,  and  the  houses 
or  jdantations  are  often  two  or  three  miles  from  them,  a 
friend,  living  near  his  route,  asks  him  to  go  by  his  plan- 
tation, and  dine  or  lodge  with  him.  But  in  a  town,  or 
when  one  is  passing  before  the  door,  the  expression  is  pe- 
culiar." 

Gouging. 

The  following  account  of  this  word  is  given  by  anP^n- 
glish  traveller,  upon  the  authority  of  an  American  :  "IMie 
General*  informed  me,  that  the  mode  of  fighting  in  Vir- 
ginia and  the  other  Southern  States,  is  really  of  that  de- 
scription, mentioned  by  preceding  travellers,  the  truth  o£ 
which  many  persons  have  doubted,  and  some  even  con- 
tradicted.    Gouging,  kicking,  and  biting  are  aHowcd  in 

*  General  Bradley,  a  Senator  in  Congress  for  the  State  of  Vernaont. 


99 

most  of  their  hiitt\cs....Gouging  is  performed  by  twisting 
the  forefinger  in  a  lock  of  hair,  near  the  temple,  and  turn- 
ing the  eye  out  of  the  socket  with  the  thumb  nail,  which 
is  suffered  to  grow  long  for  that  purpose."  Lambert's 
Travels,  vol.  ii.  p.  300.  "A  diaholical  practice  (says  an 
English  Review)  which  has  never  disgraced  Europe,  and 
for  which  no  other  people  have  even  a  name."  Quart. 
Rev.  vol.  ii.  p.  333.  Tlie  practice  itself  and  the  name  are 
both  unknown  in  JVew  England  ;  and  from  the  following 
remarks  of  a  wi^ll  known  American  author  it  will  appear, 
that  the  practice  is  much  less  general  in  the  Southern 
States  than  it  has  been  :  <»We  are  told  (says  Dr.  Morse) 
that  a  strange  and  very  barbarous  practice  prevails  a- 
mong  the  lower  class  of  people  in  the  back  parts  of  Vir- 
ginia, North  and  South  Carolinas,  and  Georgia ;  it  is  cal- 
led Gouging., ..We  have  lately  been  told,  that  in  a  par- 
ticular county,  wliere  at  the  quarterly  court  twenty  years 
ago,  a  day  seldom  passed  without  ten  or  fifteen  boxing 
matches,  it  is  now  a  rare  thing  to  hear  of  a  fight." 
Morse'' sJlmer.  Univer.  Geographj,  vol.  i.  p.  676  ',  edit.  1805. 

Governmental. 

A  reviewer  in  the  Monihlij  AntJiology  (vol.  vii.  p.  263) 
ranks  this  among  the  "  barbarisms  in  common  use"  in  A- 
merica.  It  is  not  in  any  of  the  dictionaries ;  and  I  did 
not  suppose  it  had  ever  been  used  by  any  English  author. 
But  I  fiiul  it  has  been,  by  Mr.  Bclsham  in  his  Memoirs  of 
George  the  Third,  it  is  however  (witlt  tlie  words  libertici- 
daU  roijalism,  and  some  otlicrs)  condemned  by  the  Edin- 
burgh Reviewers,  wlio  observe,  that  tliese  words  «aro 
slight  innovations  upon  tlie  Englisli  language,  wliich  we 
cannot  give  up  to  tlie  ravages  of  tliis  tiiirsty  reformer, 
any  more  than  the  lOnglish  Constitution."  Ed.  Rev.  vol. 
ii.  p.  18i. 

Grade.    Gradation,  degree,  rank,  order.  "  To  talents  of  the 


100 


liicjlicst  ^ra.lr  he  [iraiuilton]  united  a  i)aticiit  iiuhislry  not 
always  tlio  ((unpimion  (»l\2;;niiis."  »M(irs/iuirs  LiffnfJf'ash- 
ingtoii,  vol.  V.  p.  2L>.  ♦•  'riic  lii.a;h  rank  lio  had  held  in  llio 
Amcmaii  anny  would  obviate  those  ditliculties  in  fdling 
the  inlV'i  ioiir  grades  with  men  of  experience."  p.  309. 

This  word  lias  been  often  criticised  by  English  wri- 
ters, in  their  ninarks  on  Ainei'i(  an  publications.  See  re- 
marks of  the  British  Critic,  under  the  word  Debark  ;  and 
the  note  on  the  verb  To  Bottom.  The  Annual  Review 
also  thus  notices  it  in  the  review  of  jMarshall's  Life  of 
Washington:  "At  page  .3(57  [of  vol.  v.]  and  in  many  oth- 
er places  grade  is  used  for  degi'ee."  Jinn.  Rev.  vol.  vii.  p. 
241. 
To  Graduate.     To  take  a  degree  at  a  university. 

This  verb  was,  till  lately,  always  used  by  us  as  a 
verb  neuter  or  intransitive  :  Ex.  **  He  graduated  at  the 
University  of  Cambridge ;"  but  many  pei'sons  now  say, 
"  he  -was  graduated.''  The  former  mode  of  using  it  is  com- 
mon with  the  English.    In  the  Lqndon  Monthly  Magaxine 
(for  Oct.  1808,  p.  22-i-)  a  writer,  speakiiig  of  Mandeville, 
says — *^\Iq  graduated  at  Leyden  in  1691 ;"  and  in  the 
same  woik   (for  Feb.  1809)  it  is  again  used.    In  Rees*s 
Ctjclopctdiaf  art.  Gianvili,  it  is  also  said, "  betook  bis  first 
degree  in  the  year  1655,  and  removing  to  Lincoln  college 
lie  graduated  master  of  arts  in  1658."     In  the  same  work, 
art.  Magnol  (written   by  Dr.  J.  E.  Smith,  President  of 
the  Linnaan  Society,)  it  is  again  used — "  w  bercver  Jllag- 
nol  graduated"  &c.  The  English  Rerieicers  also  ust  it — 
«  \S  e  think  dissenters,  merely  as  such,  should  not  be  de- 
prived of  the  privilege  of  studying  and  graduating  at  the 
English  universities,"  &c.  Eclec.Rev.  Apr.  1811,  p.  295. 
Johvfon  has  it  as  a  verb  aetive  only.     But  an  English 
friend  observes,  that    *<  the  aetive  sense  of  this  word  is  rare 
in  England."  I  have  met  with  one  instance  in  an  English 


101 

publication  where  it  is  used  in  a  dialogue,  in  the  following; 
manner  :  "You,  methinks,  are  graduated.**  See  a  review 
in  the  British  Cntic,  vol.  xxxiv.  p.  538. 

Graix.  See  Corn. 

Grand.  Much  used  in  conrersalion,  for  very  good,  excellent, 
fine,  &c.  Ex.  This  is  grand  news  ;  he  is  a  grand  fellow  ; 
this  is  a  grand  day.  JS^exu  England. 

Gubernatorial.  "  Relating  to  a  governor."  TFebst.  Diet. 
Ex.  At  the  late  gubernatorial  election  ;  that  is,  at  the  late 
election  of  governor. 

To  Guess.  To  imagine,  suppose,  believe,  think,  fancy. 
JVew  England. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  common  words  in  use  among 
the  people  of  wVew  England ;  and  from  its  frequent  re- 
currence lias  been  the  subject  of  much  ridicule,  not  only 
among  the  English,  but  among  ihc  people  of  the  South- 
ern States.  A  late  English  traveller  thus  amuses  him- 
self with  this  word,  as  used  in  our  country-towns  :  «  In- 
stead of  imagining,  supposing,  or  believing,  as  7ve  do, 
they  always  guess  at  every  thing.  *  I  guess  as  how, 
Jonathan,  it's  not  so  could  as  yeasterday.  Why  I  guess, 
Natiian,  that  the  wind  has  changed.*  '*  LamberVs  Trav- 
els, vol.  ii.  p.  506. 

The  greatest  abuse  of  this  word  is  guessing  about 
things  well  known.  The  word  itself,  as  every  body 
knows,  is  an  old  Englisli  wo!(l ;  and,  in  the  sense  in 
which  Johnson  defines  it  (that  is,  "  to  conjecture,  to  judge 
without  any  certain  principles  of  judgment,")  is  still  in 
common  use  among  the  English,  as  it  lias  long  been, 
both  in  conversation  and  in  writing.  "  Whether  Mr.  P. 
means  &c.  we  are  at  a  loss  to  guess."  Brit.  Crit.  vol.  i. 
p.  17.  "Whence  so  rrarked  and  decided  a  contradiction 
in  the  results  of  observations  made  upon  so  simple  a  mat- 
ter, as  the  time  in  which  fever  make?  its  .attack,   could 


10;^ 

happin,  ^^e  arc  iinahle  to  guess.'*  Dril.  Crit.  vol.  v.  p. 
'Zi.  **  Wo  sIioul(l  giiess  this  tract,  from  its  external  ap- 
pearance, to  be  tlie  produce  of  a  private  press."  BriL 
Crit.  vol.  xi.  p.  69i..  An  intellij;<iit  fricn;!  informs  me, 
that  he  has  heard  it  used  in  England,  (by  the  i)eopK^  of 
AV.'f/)  just  as  it  is  in  this  country.  It  is  also  used  in  Der- 
bifshire :  ••  dness,  to  suppose.  I  guess  so.  Derb."  Pegge^s 
Supplnncnt  to  Giose*s  rrovincial  Glossary,     London,  181i. 

GUMITIOX. 

A  low  word,  \vhi(  h  is  sometimes  heard  in  conver- 
sation, and  signifirs  understanding,  or  capacity,  as  it 
docs  in  some  parts  of  Eni^land  j  where  it  is  provincial. 
Grose,  under  the  word  Gawm,  has  this  explanation : 
<«  Gawm ;  to  understand.  I  dunna  gawm  ye  ;  I  don't 
nndei-htaiiil  you.  Hence  gawmtion,  or  gumption,  un- 
derstanding. JVorth.''*  Prow  Gloss.  Sec  Docity. 
GcxxiXG.     The  diversion  of  shooting.  JV*ew  England. 

**  They  [the  Americans]  were,  however,  mostly  marks- 
men, having  been  accustomed  to  gunning  from  their 
youth."  Hist,  of  JNl'W  England  by  Haniuih  Mams,  p. 
30;^,  8vo.  edit. 

This  word  is  often  noticed  by  Englishmen,  as  an 
Jmericanism  ;  and  I  have  no  recollection  of  having  heard 
it  in  England.  Jsh,  however,  has  it  in  his  dictionary,  as 
follows :  *•  Gunning  fs.  a  colloquial  word  from  gun.J 
The  diversion  of  shooting ;  the  act  of  going  out  with  a 
gun  in  order  to  kill  game."  I  believe  no  other  English 
lexicographer  has  noticed  it.  It  should  be  observed,  that 
though  the  word  often  occurs  in  the  language  of  conver- 
sation, it  is  rarely  used  in  writing,  even  by  Ameiicans. 
Hack.     An  abbreviation  of  hackney-coach. 

In  England  hack  signifies  "  a  horse  much  used  or 
let  out  for  hire."  Mason^s  Supplement.  A  writer  in  one 
of  our  periodical  works  observes,  that  the  Englisli,  '•  in- 


103 

stead  of  our  abbreviation,  go  call  me  a  hack,  say,  go  eatt 
me  a  coach*'  [or,  call  me  a  hackney-coach.']  Mouihly  An- 
thology, vol.  V.  p.  660. 

Handsome. 

An  obliging  correspondent  observes,  that  "  tlds  word 
is  here  applied  to  almost  every  thing  j"  and  then  adds 
(though  in  rather  too  strong  terms,)  that,  "  in  England 
it  is  used  only  in  reference  to  the  human  countenance.'* 
It  is  thus  mentioned  as  an  Jmericanism  in  the  (Quarterly 
Review  :  "  The  country  thus  far  had  presented  few  strik- 
ing features,  but  was  generally  what  the  Americans 
call  handsome.*'  vol.  xii.  p.  335 ;  review  of  Lewis  and 
Clarke's  Travels,  The  reviewers  again  notice  it  (p.  3il,) 
by  putting  it  in  Italics  in  the  following  quotation  fi'om 
Lewis  and  Clarke's  work  :  "  The  surface  seems  higher 
tliere  than  the  eartli  on  the  sides  of  the  fountain,  wliich 
is  a  handsome  tiirf  of  green  grass." 

Happifying.     Making  happy. 

This  strange  word  is  sometimes  heard  from  our  pid- 
pits ;  and  a  clerical  friend  informs  me,  that  he  has  met 
with  it  in  some  of  our  printed  sermons.  I  had  supposed 
it  to  be  a  word  of  very  recent  date;  but  I  find  it  was 
noticed  many  years  ago  by  Dr.  'SVitherspoon,  who  merely 
mentions  it  in  a  short  list  of  "  terms  and  plirases  to  be 
noted  for  remarks.'*  Lectures  on  Eloquence  ;  lect.  3. 

To  Have.  Used,  instead  of  the  auxiliary  to  be,  with  some  of 
the  intransitive  verbs.  See  tlie  remarks  on  the  verb  Jln-ive. 

Heads  of  Departments.  (In  the  jdural  nttmbcr  only. J 
A  general  term,  used  in  speaking  of  the  /Secretaries  of 
State,  of  the  Treasury,  kc.  collectively.  "  The  tiMuporary 
Heads  of  Departments  were  required  to  prepare  and  hiy 
before  the  first  magistrate  such  statements,"  6cc.  Jlar- 
shall's  Life  of  Mashington,  v(d.  v.  p.  176. 

Heat  or  IIet  (jtrct.  and  part,  of  to  heat.) 


104 

This  is  oIIpii  hoard  in  (onvcrsation  ;  but  (as  Mr. 
Webster  ol)serves)  "  the  practice  is  not  respectable."* 
Mi.soiu  in  liis  Supplement  to  Johnson,  has  heat  as  a  parti- 
c\p\Cf  "  used  by  old  poets  for  heated."  Jish  also  has  it 
(written  het)  on  the  autliority  of  Chaucer;  and  observes, 
that  it  is  ol)solete.  Home  Tooke,  after  observing  tliat 
hot,  as  a  participle,  is  sufliciently  common,  adds — "  heat 
is  rarely  so  used.  Ben  Johnson,  however,  so  uses  it  in 
Sejanus,  act  3. 

'  And  fury  ever  bolls  more  high  and  strong' 
•  Neaf  with  ambition,  than  revenge  of  wrong.' 

Diversions  of  Purley,  part  iii 

IIeft,  ?(.  and  To  Heft,  r. 

The  noun  uErxis  in  Bailey's  and  EnticWs  dictionaries, 
in  the  sense  in  which  it  is  often  used  in  this  country ;  that 
is,  "  the  weight  of  any  tiling."  It  is  provincial  in  Eng- 
land :  "  IIeft,  weight — "NVhat  heft  be  'um."  Dialect  of 
South  Wiltshire ;  in  Monthly  Magazine,  vol.  xxxviii.  p. 
114.  Grose  also  has  the  nofun  heft  in  his  Glossary  thus  : 
"  Heft ;  heaviness  or  weiglit ;  as  a  heft  in  the  air.  To 
judge  by  tlie  heft ;  to  judge  by  the  weight.  Smith  [of  Eng- 
land]." This  noun  is  also  used  colloquially  in  America 
(as  a  correspondent  justly  remarks)  to  signify  the  greater 
part,  or  the  bulk  of  any  thing,  in  expressions  of  this 
kind  :  A  part  of  the  crop  of  corn  was  good,  but  the  Jieft 
of  it  was  bad. 

The  verb   To  heft,  which  here  commonly  signifies  to 
lift  any  thing  in  order  to  judge  of  its  weight,  is  not  in  the 
die  tionaries.     Both  the  noun  and  the  verb  are  used  only 
by  the  illiterate. 
Help. 

This  term  is  much  used  in  some  parts  of  New  Eng- 
land for  servants  ;  and  is  generally  applied  to  female  ser- 

•  Philosophical  and  Practical  Grammar,  p.  113. 


105 

vants.     Ex.  My  help  is  very  good ;  she  i^  very  good 
help.     The  word  Domestics,  however,  is  more  commoiu 

Het.     See  Heat. 

Hither  and  yon. 

This  expression  is  often  used  in  the  counfri/-town9 
of  New  England  for  here  and  there.  It  is  provincial  in 
England  :  **  Hither  and  yon  ;  here  and  there,  backwards 
and  forwards.  JVorth."  Grose's  Prov.  Gloss.  It  is  nercr 
heard  in  our  sea-port  towns. 

HoxPE  or  HoLP.     fPret.  and  part.  pass,  of  Help.  J 

This  antiquated  inflection  of  the  verb  to  Jielp  is  still 

I  -  in  use  in  Virginia ;  where  (as  a  correspondent  informs 
me)  it  is  corrupted  into  holped.  Mr.  Webster  observes, 
that  <«  it  is  pronounced  Mpe ;"  and  he  then  gives  the 
following  example :  *'  Shall  I  hope  you.  Sir."'  Disserta- 
tions on  the  English  Language,  p.  384.  A  friend,  liow- 
ever,  informs  me,  that  he  never  heard  it  used  (us  in  this 
example)  for  the  present  tense,  but  always,  as  the  pretente 
or  participle  passive  ;  as  in  this  expression :  "  Will  you 
be  holped  (or  holpe)  to  any  thing.'*  This  "  ancient  ir- 
regular form  holpe''  (in  the  preterite)  is  also  mentioned 
by  Bishop  Lowih,  as  "  used  in  conversation"  in  England 
at  the  period  when  he  ^vrote.  See  his  Grammar,  Irreg. 
verbs,  sect.  3.  I  never  heard  it  during  my  residence  in 
that  country. 

Hominy. 

«  The  white  inhabitants  [of  South  Carolina]  are  ex- 
tremely fond  of  the  corn  bruised  and  boiled  into  a  pudding, 
which  they  call  homimj.  It  is  eaten  with  milk,  sugar,  and 
butter,  and  is  a  favourite  dish  at  breakfast."  Lambert's 
Travels,  vol.  ii.  p.  211.  Mr.  Webster's  orthograpliy  of 
this  word  is  hommony,  and  he  defines  it,  «  food  made  of 
maize  broken,  but  coarse,  and  boiled."     Hence  a  vulgar 


106 

comiiarison  in  many  parts  of  this  country — As  coarse  as 
lioniiiiy. 

IIoJfORARY. 

Some  American  writers  use  this  adjective  instead  of 
honourable :  Ex.  It  was  highly  honorary  to  him. 
To  Hope. 

«  We  may  hope  the  assistance  of  God.  The  word/or  or 
to  receive  is  wanting.  In  this  instance  hope,  which  is  a 
neuter  verb,  is  turned  into  an  active,  and  not  very  properly 
as  to  the  ohjective  term,  assistance.  It  must  he  admitted 
however,  that  in  some  old  English  poets  hope  is  some- 
times used  as  an  active  verb,  but  it  is  contrary  to  mod 
crn  practice.*'  Witherspoons  Druid,  No.  5. 

This  verb,  I  think,  woidd  not  be  used,  in  the  manner 
here  mentioned,  by  American  writers  of  the  present  day. 

HoRSE-CoLT. 

"  We  frequently  see  in  advertisements  [in  America] 
these  terms,  horse-colt,  mare-colt,  &c.  A  horse-coM  is  sim- 
ply a  colt ;  a  mare-colt  merely  a  Jilly"  Port-Folio,  JS'ew 
Series,  vol.  ii.  p.  309. 

HousEN  (plur.  of  house). 

This  old  plural  (as  Mr.  Webster  has  observed*)  is 
still  used  in  New  England  j  but  by  none  except  illiterate 
people.  It  is  also  used  at  this  day  in  some  parts  oi  Eng- 
land. Grose  mentions  it  as  a  provincialism  of  Berkshire  ; 
and  another  English  writer  (in  the  Monthly  ^Magazine, 
vol.  xxxviii.  p.  Hi)  notices  it  in  his  "  Specimens  of  the 
provincial  dialect  of  South  Wiltshire." 

Hub.    The  nave  of  a  wheel.  J^''ew  England. 

This  is  also  an  E  ngl  isli  prorinciaZ  word:  "Hubs; 
naves  of  wheels."  Marshall's  Rural  Economy  of  the  Md 
land  Counties. 

*  Dissertations  on  the  Eng.  Lang.  p.  385- 


107 

Illy. 

This  adverb  has  been  much  used  in  America,  both  in 
coiivcrsati(m  and  in  writing.  It  is  not  to  be  found  in 
the  English  Dictionaries,  nor  is  it  now  used  by  English 
authors ;  the  word  ill  (like  well)  being  always  employed 
by  them  both  as  an  adverb  and  adjective.  Illy  has  been 
thought  by  some  persons  to  be  of  American  origin  ;  but 
this  is  not  the  fact.  Jlinsworth  has  it  in  the  Latin  part  of 
his  Dictionary,  as  a  translation  of  the  adverbs  male  and 
maliim ;  in  the  English  part,  however  he  has  ill  only. 
In  tlie  former  edition  of  this  Vocabulary  I  also  mentioned 
the  following  (which  was  pointed  out  to  me  by  a  friend) 
as  an  English  authority  for  it :  **  He  then  set  himself 
wholly  to  God  unfeignedly,  and  to  do  all  that  was  possible 
in  that  little  remainder  of  his  life  which  was  before  him> 
to  redeem  those  great  portions  of  it,  that  he  had  formerly 
so  illy  employed."  Burnetts  Life  and  Death  of  the  Earl  of 
Rochester;  American  editionf  published  in  the  Christian 
Monitor,  No.  xx.  p.  112.  But  a  London  edition  of  Bur- 
net's work,  which  I  have  since  seen,  has  illin  this  passage. 
Another  friend  informed  me,  that  he  believed  illy  was 
used  by  Steele  in  the  Spectator  ;  but  he  did  not  recollect 
in  which  of  the  volumes  it  was.  I  have  not  discovered  it 
in  that  work. 
To  Immigrate,  Immigratiox,  Immigrant. 

These  words  were  first  used  in  this  country,  I  believe, 
by  Dr.  Belknap  in  his  History  of  New  Hampshire.  In 
the  preface  to  the  third  volume  of  that  work  he  has  the 
following  defence  of  them  :  "  There  is  another  deviation 
from  the  strict  letter  of  the  English  dictionaries,  which 
is  found  extremely  convenient  i)i  our  discourses  on  popu- 
lation. From  the  verb  migro  arc  deri\^ed  emigrate  and  im- 
migrate ;  with  the  same  propriety  as  from  mergo  are  deriv- 
ed emerge  and  immerge.   Accordingly  the  verb  immigrate^ 


108 

and  flic  nouns  immigrant  and  immigration  arc  used  without 
mruplo  in  some  parts  of  this  volume."  There  seems  to  be 
.1  convenience,  as  the  learned  author  observes,  in  having 
these  words  in  the  language,  hut  in  practice  they  do  not 
-appear  to  have  been  Ibund  necessary,*  I  do  not  recollect  that 
any  American  writers  (except  such  as  have  copied  from 
Dr.  Belknap's  work)  have  adopted  them.  None  of  them 
are  to  be  found,  I  believe,  in  any  of  the  English  diction- 
aries except  IJaileifs  and  AsJi's :  these  have  the  verb 
IMMIGRATE,  but  not  thc  siibstantives  immigrant  and 
iMMiGRATiox.  They  are  all  unknown,  I  think,  to  Eng- 
lish writers  of  the  ])rescnt  day.  Mr.  Webster  has  insert- 
ed them  in  his  dictionary  ;  upon  the  authority,  I  presume, 
of  Dr.  Belknap.  Mr.  Kendal  (the  English  traveller  al- 
ready quoted)  observes,  that  *Hininigrant  is  perhaps  the 
only  new  word,  of  which  the  circumstances  of  the  United 
States  has  in  any  degree  demanded  the  addition  to  the 
English  language."  Kendal's  TravelSf  vol.  ii.  p.  252,  note. 

In  Judge  Marshall's  Life  of  WashingtoHf  in  one  instance 
W'here  the  American  edition  has  the  word  t7?i-migrations, 
the  London  quarto  edition  substitutes  e-migrations  :  "The 
im-migrations  from  England  [into  America]  continued  to 
be  very  considerable."  p.  62.  Jm.  ed.  Land,  edw  p.  51.) 
Importuxacy. 

Tiiis  has  been  called  an  American  word.  See  Month- 
ly Anthology,  vol.  iii.  p.  92.  Dr.  Johnson,  it  is  true,  has 
not  inserted  it  in  his  dictionary,  though  it  had  been  notic- 
ed by  Bailey.  Mason,  however,  has  it  in  his  Supplement 
to  Johnson,  upon  the  authority  of  Shakspeare's  Two  Gen^ 
Uemen  of  Verona  and  Timon  ;  and  Walker  adopts  it  from 
Mason,  It  docs  not  appear  to  be  much  used  by  English 
writers  of  the  present  day. 
To  Improve.     To  occupy,  make  use  of,  employ. 

This  word,  in  i\i<i  first  sense,  is  in  constant  use  in  all 


i 


109 

parts  of  New  England  ;  but  in  the  second  sense  (when 
applied  to  -persons,  as  in  the  following  example)  it 
is  not  so  common :  "  In  actions  of  trespass  against 
several  defendants,  the  plaintiff  may,  after  issue  is  cloS' 
ed,  strike  out  any  of  them  for  tlie  purpose  of  improving 
them  as  witnesses."  Sxviffs  System  of  the  Laws  of  Con- 
necticut, vol.  ii.  p.  238. 

The  following  remarks  of  Dr.  Franidin,  on  this  and 
some  other  words,  will  not  be  uninteresting  to  the  reader. 
They  are  taken  from  his  letter  of  Dec.  26, 1789,  to  Mr. 
Webster : 

« I  cannot  but  applaud  your  zeal  for  preserving  the  pu- 
rity of  our  language,  both  in  its  expression  and  pronunci- 
ation, and  in  correcting  the  popular  errors  several  of  our 
States  are  continually  falling  into  with  respect  to  both. 
Give  me  leave  to  mention  some  of  them,  though  possibly 
they  may  already  have  occurred  to  you.  I  wish  however, 
that  in  some  future  publication  of  yours,  you  would  set  a 
discountenancing  mark  upon  them.  The  first  I  remember 
is  the  word  improved.  When  I  left  New  England  in  the 
year  1723,  this  word  had  never  been  used  among  us,  as 
far  as  I  know,  but  in  the  sense  of  ameliorated  or  made 
better,  except  once,  in  a  very  old  book  of  Dr.  Mather's, 
entitled  Remarkable  Providences.  As  that  man  wrote  a 
very  obscure  hand,  I  remember  that  when  I  read  that 
word  in  his  book,  used  instead  of  the  word  employed, 
I  conjectured  that  it  was  an  error  of  the  printer,  who 
had  mistaken  a  short  I  in  the  writing  for  an  r,  and  a  y 
with  too  short  a  tail  for  a  v,  whereby  employed  was  con- 
verted into  improved :  but  when  I  returned  to  Boston  in 
1733,  I  found  this  change  had  obtained  favour,  and  was 
then  become  common  ;  for  I  met  with  it  often  in  perus- 
ing the  newspapers,  where  it  frequently  made  an  appear- 
ance rather  ridiculous.     Such,  for  instance,  as  the  advcr- 


110 

liHCnniii  ol  a  ( ountiy  house  to  be  sold,  whicli  liad  been 
many  years  improved  as  a  tavern  ;  and  in  a  cliaractcr  of 
a  dcci'asrd  countiy  gentleman,  that  he  liad  been  for  more 
than  thirty  years  improved  as  a  justice  of  the  peace. 
Tliis  use  of  the  word  improve  is  peculiar  to  New  Eng- 
Jaiid,  and  not  to  be  met  with  among  any  other  speakers 
of  Knglisli,  either  on  this  or  the  other  side  of  the  water."* 
Notwithstanding  Dr.  Franklin  thus  amuses  himself 
with  tracing  the  origin  of  this  word  to  the  obscure  hand- 
tcriting  of  Dr.  Mather,  it  had  cei-tainly  been  used  in  some 
parts  of  r\fw  England  before  Mathefs  time  ;  though,  as 
wc  must  presume  from  Dr.  Franklin's  remarks,  it  might 
not  liave  been  used  in  Boston.  It  occurs  in  some  of  the 
ancient  laws  of  the  New  England  colonics.  In  the 
^'La^ves,  Liberties  and  Orders^'  of  the  *<  New-Haven  Col- 
ony" it  is  orderedt  that  the  Deputies,  Constable,  or  other 
ofhccrs  in  public  trust,  "  shall  from  time  to  time  have  a 
vigilant  eye  over  their  brethren  and  neighbours  within  the 
lin»its  of  the  said  Plantation,  that  all  parents  and  masters 
doe  duly  endeavour,  either  by  their  own  ability  and  la- 
bour, or  by  improving  such  schoolmaster,  or  other  helps 
and  means  as  the  Plantation  doth  afford,  or  the  family 
may  conveniently  provide,  that  their  children  and  ap- 

•  Di-.  Franklin  then  has  the  followhig'  remarks  on  some  other 
words  :  "  During  my  late  absense  in  France,  I  find  that  several  other  new 
words  have  been  introduced  into  our  parliamentary  language.  For  ex- 
ample, I  find  a  verb  formed  from  the  substantive  notice — /  should  not 
H'i-je  noticed  t/iis,  were  it  not  that  the  gentleman,  &c.  Also  another  verb  froTH 
the  substantive  advocate  ;  the  ffentkman  -who  advocates  or  who  has  advocat- 
vA  that  motion,  Etc.  Another  from  the  substantive /iro^ress,  the  most  awk- 
ward and  abominable  of  the  three  ;  the  comvdttee,  having  progressed,  re- 
vived to  adjovm.  The  word  opposed,  though  not  a  new  word,  I  find  used  in 
a  new  manner,  as,  thr  gentlemen  who  are  opposed  to  this  measure,  to  which 
1  hare  also  myself  been  opposed.  If  you  should  happen  to  be  of  my  opinion 
with  respect  to  tliese  innovations,  you  will  use  your  authority  in  reprobat. 
jrj  them."     Franklin's  Essays,  vol.  ii.  p.  79.  London  edit. 


Ill 

prentices,  as  they  grow  c.ipablc,  may  througli  God's  bles- 
sing attain  at  least  so  much,  as  to  be  abic  duly  to  read 
the  Scriptures,  and  other  good  and  profitable  printed 
books  in  the  English  tongue,  being  their  native  lan- 
guage," &c.  Certain  Lawes^  Liberties  and  Orders^  made, 
granted  and  established  at  severall  times  by  the  Generall 
Court  of  JYew-Haven  Colony  ;  from  1648  to  1660.  It  is  also 
applied  in  the  same  manner,  in  a  Connecticut  law  of  the 
year  1690,  cited  in  Kendal's  Tra-vels,  vol.  i.  p.  273 : 
*'  This  Court,  considering  the  necessity  that  many  pa- 
rents may  be  under  to  improve  their  children  and  servants 
in  labour  for  a  great  part  of  the  year,  doe  order,"  &c. 

This  verb,  applied  to  lands,  occurs  also  in  the  Colony 
and  Province  Laws  of  Massachusetts,  (as  was  observed  in 
the  former  edition  of  this  work,)  and  in  some  instances  it 
appears  to  have  the  signification  in  question;  but  in 
others  it  is  used  in  the  sense  of  cidfivated,  or  ameliorated  : 
«  Where  lands  lye  in  common  unfenced,  if  one  man  sliall 
improve  his  land  by  fencing  in  several,  and  another  shall 
not,  he  who  shall  so  improve  shall  secure  his  lands  against 
other  men's  cattle,  and  shall  not  compel  such  as  joyn  up- 
on him,  to  make  any  fence  with  him,  except  he  shall  so 
improve  in  several  as  the  other  doth....The  like  order  shall 
be  where  any  man  shall  improve  land  against  any  Town- 
Common.  Provided,  this  order  sliall  not  extend  to  housc- 
loits,  not  exceeding  ten  acres ;  but  if  in  such  one  shall  im- 
prove,  his  neighbour  shall  be  compellable  to  make  and 
mantaine  one  half  of  the  fence  between  them,  whetlier  lie 
improve  or  not."  Massa,  Colony  Laws,  title  Cattle,  Corn- 
1FIEXDS,  Fences,  sect.  7.  J.  D.  1642. 

It  is  not  unworthy  of  notice,  that  in  the  English 
Abridgment  of  these  laws,  published  by  Neal  (in  his  His- 
tory of  New  England),  the  verb  inclose  is  generally  sub- 
stituted for  improve.     I  do  not  recollect  seeing  imprort 


lis 

Rpplicil  it>  houses  (as  it  now  is)  or  any  thing  but  lands,  in 
the  old  laws  of  Missachusetts, 

'l'li<)n,i;h  this  verb  is  so  common  in  New  England, 
the  corresponding  noun,  improver,  is  not  in  use  ;  but  we 
always  say,  the  occupier  or  occupant  of  a  house,  or  land. 
I  lia\  (',  however,  once  met  with  the  noun  improver  in  the 
Jaiu's  of  Massachusetts. 

This  use  of  the  verb  improve  is  also  noticed  by  Dr. 
A^'ithcrspoon ;  (see  his  JDruid,  No.  7)  and  in  Webstei-'s 
Dktionarij. 

I. M  TROT  EM  EN  T,  of  a  semion  J   the  conclusion.     Ex,  «To 
7/uiAf  some  improvement  of  the  whole." 

This  expression,  though  probably  much  more  common 
here  than  in  Great  Britain,  is  by  no  means  peculiar  to 
us.  In  an  English  review  of  Sermons  by  the  Rev.  John 
Drysdale,  D.  I).  F.  R.  S.  Edinb.  the  following  remark  is 
made  upon  it :  "  The  conclusion  [of  the  sermon]  is  term- 
ed, somewhat  inaccurately,  making  an  improvement  of 
the  whole.  The  autlior,  w^  presume,  means,  deducing 
from  the  whole  what  may  contribute  to  the  general  im- 
provement." Brit.  Crit.  vol.  i.  p.  379.  In  the  review  of 
another  publication,  the  word  improvement,  used  in  the 
same  manner,  is  noticed  by  being  printed  in  Italics.  Brit. 
Crit.  vol.  iii.  p.  345.  Both  the  works  here  cited  are  from 
the  pens  of  Scottish  writers. 

I.N /or  Into. 

Mr.  Coleman,  in  remarking  upon  the  prevalence  of 
this  inaccuracy  in  JS^ew  Tork,  says  :  '»'  We  get  in  the 
stage f  and  have  the  rheumatism  into  our  knees."  JN".  Fork 
Evening  Post,  Jan.  6, 1814.  An  obsei-ving  English  friend 
al  Phdaddphia  also  speaks  of  its  frequent  use  there,  in  the 
following  strong  terms  :  «  The  preposition  into  is  almost 


il3 

unknown  here.     They  say,  when  did  you  come  in  iotvn  9 
I  met  him  riding  in  town."  B.^ 
Incident.    Liable  or  subject. 

"  Such  bodies  are  incident  to  these  evils.  The  evil  is 
incident  or  ready  to  fall  upon  the  person  ;  the  person  li- 
able or  subject  to  the  evil."  Withersp.  Druid,  No.  5. 

I  have  never  heard  the  word  incident  used  in  this 
manner  in  America. 
Incivism.     *•  Unfriendliness  to  a    state  or  government." 
Webst.  Diet. 

This  Gallicism  has  never  been  heard  in  America  since 
the  first  years  of  the  French  revolution. 
To  Inculpate  ;  Inculpation. 

Tlicse  words  are  used  by  some  American  writers ; 
but  they  are  not  in  the  English  dictionaries,  and  are  cer- 
tainly not  much,  if  at  all,  used  by  English  writers, 
Indesirable. 

This  ward  is  censured  in  the  Monthly  Anthology, 
(1807,  p.  281).  I  have  never  met  with  it  in  Amerioan 
publications,  except  in  the  instance  there  cited.  A  cor- 
respondent says,  it  is  "  unknown  to  the  English." 
Inexecution.  **  The  extensive  discussions  which  had  tak- 
en place  relative  to  the  inexecution  of  the  treaty  of 
peace,"  6cc.  Marsh.  Life  of  Washing,  vol.  v.  p.  484. 

English  writers  use  the  term  non-execution,  as  Judge 
Marshall  himself  commonly  does ;  see  pp.  184,  275,  370, 
473,  &c.  of  the  volume  here  cited. 
Infected. 

The  Annual  Review  has  hastily  criticised  Judge 
Marshall  for  using  t!iis  word,  in  his  Life  of  Wash- 
ington, in  a  peculiar  manner.  The  remark  of  the 
reviewers  is : — "  Vol.  v.  p.  144,  [Eng.  edit.]  meaning  to 

•  The  remarks  under  the  signature  *'  B  "  in  this  work  ai'c  all  Irom 
tlje  correspondent  lierc  quoted. 
15 


114 


pniiso  llii'in.  our  author  siiys,  '  the  patriotic  vctcraus  ol' 
the  Involution,  infected  by  the  wide  spreading  contagion 
ol  tlic  linirs,  arrayed  themselves  under  the  banner  of 
tlie  hiws.-'  dun.  Rev.  vol.  vii.  p.  211.  But  tlie  word  infect- 
ed is  an  errour  of  the  press,  in  the  London  edition,  for 
un-infected.  In  this  same  sentence  there  is  another  al- 
teration in  the  London  edition  :  *'  the  jmtriotic  veterans," 
for  "  patriot  veterans,"  as  it  stands  in  the  American  edi- 
tion.* 
Interior. 

<»  Inferior  and  superior  Tsays  an  English  friend)  in  a 
■positive  sense,  are  almost  universal  in  New  England  :  A 
very  superior,  mare,  a  most  inferior  horse,"  &c.  B.  These 
expressions  are,  I  presume,  more  frequently  heard  in  A- 
merica  than  in  Great  Britain  ;  but  Englishmen  sometimes 
employ  these  adjectives  "  in  a  positive  sense,"  even  in  w  ri- 
ting  :  "  The  throwing  out  of  employ  all  very  inferior  la- 

•  The  London  cctavb  edition  of  tliis  work  (if  \ve  may  judge  ft-om  the 
examples  given  in  the  Annual  Review)  must  be  grossly  incorrect ;  for  of  the 
thirteen  instances  which  the  reviewers  give  of  Amtrican  inaccuracies  in  lan- 
guage, several  are  errors  of  the  English  press.  The  word  infected  for  mi- 
infected  has  been  mentioned  above.  Anoth.er  instance  occurs  in  vol.  ii.  p. 
551,  London  octavo  edit.  [p.  479,  Amer.  ed.]  where  the  reviewers  suppose 
the  author  uses  ptitrole  for  parole  :  But  the  London  quarto  and  the  Amer- 
ican editions  botli  have  parole.  No  American  would  confound  these  two 
words.  A  typographical  error  also  in  the  name  of  Dr.  Robertson  (wliich 
in  the  London  octavo  edition,  it  seems,  is  printed  Robinson,  though  the 
quarto  has  Robertson)  and  an  inadvertence  on  the  part  of  the  author,  in 
giving  that  distinguished  historian  the  title  of  J\1r.  instead  of  his  usual  one 
of  Dr.  are  made  the  subject  of  an  unmerited  degree  of  ridicule.  In  the 
American  edition,  the  name  is  correctly  printed.  We  have  enough  cor^ 
ruptiont  of  our  own  to  answer  for,  without  being  responsible  for  those 
which  tlie  English  printers  make  for  us.  We  sliould  never,  I  trust,  be 
bo  wanting  in  candour,  as  to  charge  these  Reviewers  with  ignorance,  be- 
cavise  they  have  in  this  very  article  given  our  countryman  Minot  the  name 
of  Minor. 


115 

bourers."  Brit.  Crit.  vol.  ix.  p.  6S8.  The  engravings.... 
are  of  mean  and  xej-y  infciior  execution."  vol.  xxi.  p.  506. 
*'  Biionanni  was  contemporary  with  Grew,  and....publish- 
cd  at  Rome  his  Recreazione  kc.  a  work  of  very  supe- 
rior merit."  Rees^s  Cyclop,  art.  Conchology,  col.  19. 
Infiiiential.  Having  influence.  Ex.  "  Persons  who  arc 
strangers  to  the  vifluential  motives  of  tlic  day."  Marsh. 
Life  of  Wash.  vol.  v.  p.  380.     "  He  was  a  very  hiflueniial 

man." 

Johnson  and  other  lexicographers  have  this  word  in  the 

sense  of  exerting  influence  ;  but  it  does  not  appear  to  be 

used  now  in  England.     Burkes  in  one  instance,  seems  to 

use  the  word  prevalent  as  we  should  injluential :  "  I  know 

that  he  and  those  who  are  much  prevalent  with   him," 

&c.  Burke's  Works,  Letter  Fourth  on  the  Regicide  Peaces 

vol.  V.  p.  89.  Amcr.  cd.    An  English  friend  observes,  that 

^'influential  is  clearly  an  American  word."  J. 

To  Inform. 

This  verb  is  much  used  in  the  United  States  in  the 
following  manner  :  I'he  master  of  the  ship  informs  tliat  he 
left  London  on  such  a  day ;  for  informs  us,  or  says,  or 
states,  ^c.  A  correspondent  says,  that  '•  inform  is  thus  used 
by  English  merchants ;  but  it  is  merely  a  technical  ex- 
pression." Ji. 

To  Infeact. 

This  is  used  by  some  American  authors  instead  of  the 
verb  to  infiinge,  which  is  commonly  employed  by  English 
writers. 

Infuriated. 

This  is  a  favourite  word  with  a  few  American  writorw  ; 
but  it  is  not  in  general  use  among  us.  Tlie  adjective  in- 
furiate is  often  used  by  the  poets,  and  is  in  tlie  English 
dictionaries  ;  but  the  participle  infuriated  anfl  its  vcrl)  arc 
not.     Mr.  AVebster  has  the  verb,  as  well  as  the  adjective. 


110 


liVSUtiKtTT. 

I  si'd  by  some  American  writers.     It  is  not   in  the 
Knglish  dirtionaries,  and,  1  believe,  is  never  used  by  Eng- 
lish authors. 
Insfrrectionart.     *'  Suitable  to  insurrections."  ^lason. 

This  word  was  criticised  a  few  years  ago,  in  a  review 
oi**  Letters  from  Europe  hj  a  native  of  Pennsylvaniaf**  (see 
Montlily  Anthology  for  1806,)  as  an  Americanism,  or,  as 
the  reviewers  with  some  severity  call  it,  an  Indianism. 
It  is  not  in  Johmoii's  dictionary,  but  it  is  in  Masmi's  Sup- 
plement, where  this  passage  is  cited  from  Burke — «  True 
democratic,  explosive,  insurrectionarij  nitre."  To  wliich 
may  be  added  tlie  following,  from  the  posthumous  works  of 
tlie  same  autlior — «  Why,  the  author  writes,  that  on  their 
fnurderous  insurrectionarij  system  their  own  lives  are  not 
sure  for  an  hour." — "  "Whilst  the  sansculotte  gallery  in- 
stantly recognized  their  old  insurrectionary  acquaintance," 
&c.  Burke^s  Fourth  Letter  on  the  Regicide  Peace,  vol.  v.  of 
his  Works,  pp.  34,  35.  Amer.  ed. 

This  word  is  a  production  of  the  French  Revolution, 
and  perhaps  (like  the  term  sansculotte  and  some  others) 
would  not  have  been  used  by  Burke,  except  when  writing 
upon  the  affairs  of  France.  I  have  never  met  witli  it  in 
any  other  English  author,  and  it  is  not  mentioned  by  any 
of  the  lexicographers  but  Mason, 
Interval-land,  or  Intervale. 

"  Along  the  borders  of  the  rivers,  at  a  distance  from 
one  another,  are  some  small  portions  of  meadow,  or  of 
those  culturable  uplands,  that,  in  New  England,  are  in- 
cluded with  meadow  in  the  denomination  of  interval' 
lands:'  ICendal's  Travels,  vol.  iii.  p.  71.  Mr.  Kendal 
then  criticises  Dr.  Morse  for  using  interval  as  synonymous 
With  meadow,  observing,  that  "  if  the  word  interval  were 
Bynonymous  with  meadow,  it  ought  upon  no  account  to 


117 

be  employed ;  and  it  is  only  because  it  is  not  synony- 
mous, that  it  is  useful,  and  deserves  to  be  retained....The 
interval,  intended  in  New  England  geography,  is  the  iji- 
terval  or  space  between  a  river  and  the  mountains,  wliich 
on  both  sides  uniformly  accompany  its  course  at  a  greater 
or  less  distance  from  its  margin.  Hence  interval-lands 
include  meadow  and  uplands,  and  in  general  tlie  whole  of 
tlie  narrow  valley,  through  which  in  these  regions  the  riv- 
ers flow."  p.  183.  Dr.  Belknap  usee  the  word  intervale  ; 
observing,  that  he  can  "  cite  no  very  ancient  authority 
for  it ;  but  it  is  well  understood,  in  all  parts  of  New 
England,  to  distinguish  the  low  land  adjacent  to  the  fresh 
rivers,  which  is  frequently  overflowed  by  the  freshets,  and 
which  is  accounted  some  of  our  most  valuable  soil,  be- 
cause it  is  rendered  permanently  fertile  by  t!ie  bountiful 
hand  of  nature,  without  the  labour  of  man."  Hist.  ofJ\''ew 
Hampshire,  vol.  iii.  preface,  p.  6.    See  Bottom- Lands. 

Involvement.  <'  The  inclination  of  tlie  public  led  to  a  full 
indulgence  in  the  most  extravagant  partiality,  but  not  to 
an  involvement  in  the  consequences  which  that  indulgence 
would  infallibly  produce."  Marsh.  Life  of  Wash.  vol.  v.  p. 
401. 

This  word  is  not  in  common  use  in  tliis  country.  1 
never  met  with  it  in  any  otlicr  work  ;  nor  have  I  ever 
heard  it  used  in  conversation.  It  is  not  in  the  diction- 
aries. 

Irrepbalability.  *^  The  quality  of  not  being  repealable." 
Wehst.  Diet. 

Mr.  Webster,  in  the  Preface  to  his  Dictionary,  re- 
marks, that  "  in  every  country,  where  thi^  English  lan- 
guage is  used,  improvements  will  continually  demand  the 
use  of  new  terms  j"  ami,  after  adducing  instances  of 
new  terms  in  several  arts  and  sciences,  be  adds — "  A  new 
system  of  civil  polity  in  the  western  world  originates  now 


118 

iilcas,  and  l)rinc;s  info  question  the  consi if ididnnlity  oi  i^ow- 
(Ts,  tlic  lunKriiVLABiLiTY  of  laws,  and  the  removability 
of  men  from  office."  p.  xxii. 

Tlie  term  irrcpealubiidif  may  perhaps  be  found  neces- 
sary, or  at  least  useful ;  but  I  do  not  recollect  that  any 
of  our  writers  have  yet   adopted  it :  I  never  met  with  it 
in  any  work  excc[)t  Mr.  Webstei^'s. 
To  Issue. 

The  Bntish  Crilic  for  1809  (vol.  xxxv.  p.  182)  cen- 
^xxrvs  the  use  of  this  verb,  in  the  following  passage  of  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Bancroft's  Life  of  Washington  :  "  The  northern 
campaign  had  issued  in  the  capture  of  General  Burgoync, 
p.  169.''  It  is  also  used  by  Dr.  Ramsay^  in  his  Life  of 
Washington,  and  censured  by  one  of  our  own  writers,  in 
the  Monthly  Anthology,  vol.  iv.  p.  6(ii>.  Dr.  Witherspoon 
has  not  mentioned  this  word  among  his  AnwicanismSf  but 
has  himself  used  it :  "A  curious  debate  in  a  certain  fam- 
ily, which  issued  in  nothing." 

It  is  also  used  occasionally  by  some  of  the  writers  of 
Great  Britain  :  "  This  is  our  first  justification,  which,  if 
duly  improved,  will  issue  in  our  full  and  final  justifica- 
tion." 2'aylor  on  Romans,  as  cited  in  the  British  Critic,  vol. 
iv.  p.  30.  "  The  application  of  this  test  will  issue  in  a 
very  favourable  judgment,  concerning  the  work  which 
has  been  examined."  Christian  Observer,  vol.  ii.  p.  97. 
"  In  what  can  such  a  contest  issue,  but  in  the  utter  dis- 
comfiture of  a  conquering  or  invading  army."  Edinb.  Re- 
view, vol.  xxiv.  p.  255. 
Item.  An  intimation,  a  hint.  Ex.  I  had  an  item  of  his  de- 
signs. 

This  is  a  low  word,  and  is  used  here  only  by  the  illit- 
erate. It  is  in  Johnson's  dictionary  ,•  but  Grose  has  it 
among  his  provincial  words,  and  marks  it  as  peculiar  to 
the  ^Torth  of  England.  A  friend  informs  me,  that  «  it 
is  colloquial  in  this  sense,  among  many  of  the  English." 


119 

Jag.  a  small  load.     Xeto  England. 

Grose  has  this  among  the  provincial  words  of  Eng- 
land :  «  Jag,  a  small  parcel  or  load  of  any  thing,  whether 
on  a  man's  back  or  in  a  carriage.  Mrfolk."  Bailey  also 
marks  it  as  a  "  Co^lniry**  word. 

To  Jeopardize. 

This  verb  is  often  seen  in  the  Debates  of  Congress,  as 
they  are  reported  in  the  newspapers.  It  is  doubtless  a 
corruption  of  the  ancient  verb  to  jeopardy  as  deputise  is  of 
depute.  But  even  the  verb  tojeojjardf  whicli  is  in  all  the 
dictionaries, Dr. Jo/iMson says,  is  "obsolete;"  JsAsays,  it 
is  "  not  much  used  f'  and  Barclay,  that  it  is  "  used  only 
in  Divinity.^*  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  remark,  that  to 
jeopardise  is  not  in  any  of  the  dictionaries. 

Jeopardy. 

This  noun  (as  well  as  the  verb  just  mentioned)  is 
sometimes  to  be  found  in  American  works.  Dr.  Johnson 
observes,  that  it  is  "  not  in  use." 

Jockeying.  "  The  farmers  impeached  their  honesty,  ac- 
cusing them  of  unfair  dealing,  or,  as  their  phrase  is,  of 
jockeying."  KendaVs  Trav.  vol.  i.  p.  87. 

The  verb  to  jockey,  signifying  "  to  cheat,  to  trick,"  is 
in  Johnson's,  and  other  English  dictionaries  ;  and  a  friend 
informs  me,  that  it  is  "  a  coarse  but  well  known  colloquial 
word  in  England."  In  America  also  it  is  considered  us 
a  low  word. 

Jounce,  n.  and  To  Jouxce,  r. 

These  are  sometimes  heard  in  convei'sation  ;  but  they 
are  considered  as  low  words.  I'hey  are  provincial  in 
England:  ^^  Jounce ;  a  jolt  or  shake;  i\  jouncing  trot; 
a  hard  rough  trot  :  Norf."  Grose^s  Frov.  Gloss. 

Kedge.     Brisk,  in  good  health  and  spirits.     Ex.  How  do 
you  do  to  day  ?  I  am  pretty  kedge. 

This  is  used  only  in   a  few  of  the  connfnj  towns  of 


420 

New  EM.2,1aii(I.  but  is  unknown  on  the  sea-coast.  It  is 
proviuciul  in  England.  Grose  defines  it,  "  brisk,  lively;'* 
and  says  it  is  used  in  the  South.  Ray  also  has  it  among 
Ids  "  South  and  East  Country  7vords,"  and  explains  it 
thns — "  brisk,  budge,  lively.  Suffolk.^* 

To  Keep.  To  stay  at  the  liouse  of  any  person.  Ex.  Wiiere 
do  you  keep  ?  I  keep  at  my  friend's  house.  JWw  England. 
This  is  noted  as  an  JmencaniHm  in  the  Monthly  An- 
thology, vol.  V.  p.  428.  It  is  less  used  now  than  former- 
ly. An  English  friend  remarks,  that  "  there  are  certain 
situations  in  which  this  word  may  perhaps  be  used  in 
England  ;  as,  for  example,  in  Universities."  A. 

Keepixg-room.  a  parlour.  J^ew  England.  "  The  lat- 
ter spent  his  evening  in  the  parlour,  or,  as  it  is  called, 
the  keeping-room.''^  KendaVs  Trav.  vol.  iii  p.  264. 

This  is  now  more  frequently  called  the  sitting-room. 
The  term  is  provincial  in  England :  « Keeping-room,  a 
sitting-room.  J\''orfolk.''*  Marsh.  Rural  Econ.  JWyif.  The 
term  parlour^  however,  is  in  general  use  in  the  sea-port 
towns  of  New  England. 

Kelter  or  Kilter  (pronounced  Kilter).  Good  condition, 
order.     Ex.  This  cart,  or  plough,  is  out  of  kilter. 

This  is  very  common  among  the  farmers  of  New 
England.  It  is  also  one  of  the  provincial  words  of  Great 
Britain :  "  Kelter  or  kilter ;  frame,  order,  condition. 
.S'hrth.  In  good  case  or  kelter;  in  good  condition." 
Grose^s  Prov.  Gloss.*  It  is  also  mentioned  by  Marshall 
among  his  "  Provincialisms  of  Yorkshire,*^  and  by  Ray  in 
his  "  South  and  East  Country  Words  ;"  and  in  the  Monthly 
Magazine  (Mar.  1815)  it  is  given  among  specimens  of  the 
Essex  Dialect." 

Kextal.    a  quintal.    "  Our  whale-oils  pay  six  livres  the  ken- 
Grose  adds—"  Ilcnce  hclters-kelter,  a  corruption  of  helter,  to  hang, 

and  kelter,  order,  i.  e.  hang-  order,  or  in  defiance  of  order. 


131 

tal."  Report  of  the  Secretary  of  State  (Mr.  Jefferson)  on 
Commercial  Restrictions  <^c.  Dec.  16,  1793,  p. 

This  manner  of  writing  the  word  quintal  is  not  the 
'i  American^*  orthography,  but  is,  I  believe,  peculiar  to  the 
autlior  of  the  Report  here  cited.  Mr.  Webster's  orthogra- 
phy, which  is  JCentle,  approaches  to  this,  and  is  conform- 
able to  the  common  pronunciation  of  the  word.  But  the 
universal  orthography  of  other  American  writers  is  quintal. 

Knoll.  A  little  round  hill.  In  common  use  in  New  Eng- 
land. 

It  is  mentioned  by  Ray  (and  by  Grose,  who  cojiies  Ray  J 
among  the  JVbrth  Country  words  of  Great  Britain.  <«  It  is 
used  (says  an  English  friend)  among  the  gentry  of  Eng- 
land, in  particular,  when  describing  country  scenery.*'  J, 

Land-board.     Vide  Sea-board. 

Languishment.  "  This  disease  [pulmonary  consumption] 
which,  after  the  co?tnir y-people  among  the  whites,  they 
[the  Indians]  call  a  languishment,"  Kendal's  Trav.  vol.  ii. 
p.  211,  where  the  author  is  speaking  of  the  Island  of  JV'a?i- 
tucket.     The  word  is  not  in  general  use  in  New  England. 

Lay.  n.  Terms  or  conditions  of  a  bargain ;  price.  Ex. 
I  bought  the  articles  at  a  good  lay  ;  lie  bought  his  goods 
on  the  same  fat/ that  I  did  mine.  Jl  low  word.  J\"ew  Eng- 
land. 

lb  Lay,  for  Lie. 

Dr.  Witherspoon  observes,  that «  this  is  not  only  a  pre- 
vailing vulgarism  in  conversation,  but  has  obtained  in  pub- 
lic speaking,  and  may  be  often  seen  in  print.  I  am  even 
of  opini'»n  (he  adds)  that  it  has  some  chance  of  overcom- 
ing all  the  opposition  made  to  it,  and  fully  establishing 
itself  by  custom,  which  is  the  final  arbiter  in  all  sucli  cases. 
Lowth  in  his  Grammar  has  been  at  much  pains  to  correct 
it ;  yet  though  that  most  excellent  treatise  has  been  in 

the  hands  of  the  public  for  many  years,  this  word  seems 
16 


122 

to  jEfaiii,  iiistnul  of  losiiit;  !:;i'omul."  Drn'id,  JV*o.  6.  This 
viil;;;irism  (wliich  is  common  in  En2;lan(l  as  well  as  in 
Amtii(  a)  is  much  less  firquont  here  at  the  present  day, 
than  it  was  when  Dr.  WIthcrspoon  wrote:  It  is  still 
heiu'd  in  conversation,  hut  in  writing  every  body  avoids 
it. 

One  of  the  latest  iTistances,  which  I  have  observed,  of 
this  error  in  an  English  writer.,  is  the  followina,'  (quoted 
by  the  British  Critic,  vol.  iii.  p.  53'^,  note)  from  Poems  by 
John  Biillake,  B.  Jl.  London,  1794.  Tlie  Reviewers  ob- 
serve— **  In  p.  4,  we  have  the  common  but  vulgar  mistake 
of  tlje  verb  to  uiij  for  to  lie  : 

'  And  on  the  ground  to  catch  each  sound  would  lay* 

Leanto  or  Lean-to,  n.  (commtmly  pronounced  linter.J 
♦<  The  part  of  a  building  which  appears  to  lean  upon  an- 
other."  n\bst.  Diet. 

This  is  not  in  Johnson  j  but  Mason  has  it  in  his  Sup- 
plement, where  it  is  called  an  architectural  term,  and  is  de- 
fined thus  :  "  A  low  shallow  building  joined  to  a  higher  ;  *' 
which  is  tlie  JVew  England  signification  of  it. 

A  lean-to  is  here  commonly  united  with  the  principal 
part  of  a  building  in  such  a  manner,  that  the  roof  of  the 
whole  appears  much  sloped  ;  and  in  a  late  English  work 
I  find  the  provincial  word  tented  with  that  signification  : 
"  Lented,  sl')ped  or  glanced  off;  a  verb  formed  from 
leaned."  Fegge^s  Supplement  to  Grose*s  Provincial  Glossary, 

Lease,  n.  A  cow -lease  ;  that  is,  a  right  of. pasturage  for  a 
cow,  in  a  common  pasture.  Used  in  some  towns  of  Mw 
England.  Grose  has  the  term  as  a  provincialism  of  the 
jyest  of  England,  and  remarks,  that  it  is  perhaps  the 
same  as  Lees. 

To  Legislate. 

This  verb  has  long  been  as  common,  with  American 
writers,  as  its  nouns,  legislation^  legislature^  &c.  but  the 


i2S 

English  have  not,  I  think,  until  lately,  made  use  of 
it.  fFalker  has  inserted  it  in  his  dictionary,  but  as  he 
remarks)  it  is  "  neither  in  Johnson  nor  Sheridav  ;"  nor  is 
it  in  Mason's  Supplement  to  Johnson.  It  was  noticed, 
however,  several  years  ago  in  Entick*s  dictionary,  (edi- 
tion of  1795)  ;  and,  more  lately,  in  an  edition  of  Sheridany 
*'  corrected  and  improved  by  Salmon  ;"  and  also  in  the 
octavo  edition  of  Pemfs  dictionary,  publislied  in  1805. 
Mr.  Webster  adopts  it  from  Entick. 

Legislative. 

This,  like  the  term  executive,  is  used  in  America  as 
a  noun  ;  but  it  is  by  no  means  so  common  as  that  word.  In 
the  Preface  to  the  London  edition  of  Ramsay's  Hi  tor y  of 
the  Revolution^  it  is  classed  among  those  Amencan  names, 
which  the  English  "  have  listened  to  without  as  yet  adopt- 
ing."   See  the  remarks  on  tlie  term  executive. 

Lengthy. 

This  word  has  been  very  common  among  us,  both  in 
writing  and  in  the  language  of  conversation  ;  but  it  has 
been  so  much  ridiculed  by  Americans  as  well  as  En.^lish- 
men,  that  in  writing  it  is  now  generally  avoided.  Mr. 
Webster  has  admitted  it  into  his  dictionary  ;  but  (as  need 
hardly  be  remarked)  it  is  not  in  any  of  the  English  ones. 
It  is  applied  by  us,  as  Mr.  Webster  justly  observes, 
chiefly  to  writings  or  discours'  s.  Thus  we  say,  a  lengthy 
pamphlet,  a  lengthy  sermon,  kr.  The  English  would 
say,  a  long  or  (in  the  more  familiar  style)  a  tongish  ser- 
mon. It  may  be  here  remarked,  by  the  way,  that  they 
make  much  more  use  of  the  termination  ish  than  we  do  ; 
but  this  is  only  in  the  language  of  conversation. 

The  British  Critic,  in  a  review  of  Hamilton's  Report 
on  Manufactures,  tiius  notices  lengthy  :  "  We  sliaJl  at  all 
times  with  pleasure  receive  from  our  transalhintic  breth- 
ren real  improvements   of  our  common  mother-tongue 


1S4 

but  \st  sliall  hardly  be  induced  to  admit  such  phrases  as 
that  ill  p.  '.'•>  [London  edition]  — "  more  Icngtliy'*  for  lon- 
ger, or  more  diffuse.  But  perhaps  it  is  an  established 
Americanism."  Bnt.  Crit.  vol.  ii.  p.  286  ;  for  Aov.  1793. 

As  some  American  writers  have  thought  this  noted 
word  to  be  higlily  useful  and  even  necessary,  it  may  not 
be  uniiiteresting  to  see  how  English  writers  can  dis- 
pense w  ith  the  use  of  it  in  cases  where  they  do  not  employ 
the  word  long.  In  addition  to  the  word  diffuse  (which  is 
employed  above  by  the  British  Critic  as  one  of  the  synO" 
nymes)  they  use  lengthtned,  prolongedt  extended,  extensive, 
and  prolix,  as  will  l)e  seen  in  the  follow ing  examples ; 
in  all  of  which,  I  think,  many  Americans  would  have 
chosen  lengthy  :  «  For  the  purpose  of  bestowing  upon 
hiin,  and  upon  all  that  belong  to  him,  a  lengthened  and  ela- 
borate eulogy."  ^nart.  Rev.  vol.  x.  p.  314.  "  The  edi- 
tor apologizes for  the  prolonged  account  of  the  life 

of  Dr.  Doddridge,"  &c.  Brit.  Crit,  rol.  iv.  p.  164.  «  We 
gave  rather  an  extended  account  of  this  ingenious  work." 
Brit.  Crit.  vol.  viii.  p.  91.  "  To  which we  have  al- 
lotted an  extensive  account."  Brit.  Crit.xol.  vi.  pref.  p.  ii, 
«  This  rather  extensive  and  well  written  paper."  Bnt.  Crit. 
vol.  xxi.  p.  352.  "  We  have  neither  time  nor  inclina- 
tion to  enter  into  a  prolix  statement  of  particulars.  Brit. 
Crit.  vol.  V.  p.  238. 

I  never  heard  lengthy  among  Englishmen  ;  but  an  Eng- 
lish friend  (who  has,  however,  been  in  America  for  sev- 
eral years  past)  observes  in  rather  an  emphatic  manner, 
that  «  there  certainly  was  a  time  in  England,  when  this 
word  would  have  passed  unnoticed  in  the  first  societies  in 
a  familiar  conversation.  Criticism  (he  adds)  may  since 
have  struck  it  out  of  use." 

LlABLLITT. 

This  is  in  common  use  throughout  the  United  States 


1S6 

in  the  popular  as  well  as  legal  style  ;  but  it  is  not  in  the 
English  dictionaries.  None  of  the  lexicographers,  in- 
deed, have  noticed  the  word  liaUenesSf  except  Entick 
and  Mason  ;  the  latter  of  whom  gives  it  on  the  authority 
of  Butler^s  Analogy.  Liabilitij  is  in  common  use  among 
English  lawyers  ;  and  a  correspondent  remarks,  that  it  is 
"  a  word  which  any  Englishman  might  use  in  haste,  and 
for  want  of  a  better  ;  though  he  might  wish  to  find  a  bet- 
ter when  at  leisure,  particularly  for  his  written  composi- 
tions."  J. 

Licit.  Lawful, 

This  word  was  criticised  in  the  Monthly  Anthology 
(1804,  p.  54)  in  a  review  of  the  "  Miscellaneous  Works  of 
David  Humphreys,  Esq."  The  reviewers  say,  "  There 
is  no  such  word  as  licitf  and  we  cannot  allow  the  author, 
respectable  as  he  is,  to  coin  language." 

Lick  or  Salt-lick.  "  A  salt  spring  is  called  a  licki  from 
the  earth  about  them  being  furrowed  out  in  a  most  curi- 
ous manner,  by  the  buffalo  and  deer,  which  lick  the  earth 
on  account  of  the  saline  particles  with  which  it  is  impreg- 
nated." Imlaifs  Topographical  Description  of  the  Western 
Territory  of  JV.  America^  p.  46.  2d  edit. 

Lift.  n.  Used  by  the  farmers  in  some  parts  of  New  Eng- 
land to  signify  a  sort  of  gate  without  hinges.  In  some 
counties  of  England  th(^y  use  the  term  lift-gate  for  the 
same  thing :  "  Lift-gate  ;  a  gate  without  hinges,  being 
lifted  into  notches  in  the  posts.  JVbr/o/A:."  Marshall's  Ru- 
ral Econ,  JVoj/. 

Like  for  as  or  like  as  :  Ex.  "  He  carries  them  like  he  does : 
Why  don't  you  strike  like  I  do." 

This  is  common  in  some  of  the  Southern,  and  (as  a 
correspondent  informs  me)  in  some  of  the  JVestern  States  ^ 
but  it  is  not  used  by  people  of  education. 
LiKELT.    Sensible,  intelligent.  Mru  England. 


1S6 

<•  Tliroiijclinut  the  British  dominions,  and  in  most 
pai-tsofthe  United  States,  the  epithet  /iAc/j/ conveys  an 
idiM  of  innv  prs  >nal  bi'aiit  y,  unconnected  >vith  any  mor- 
al or  iiitelhctwal  quality.  But  in  JV*ett>  England  ....  a. 
man  ov  woman  as  det'ormed  as  a  Hottentot  or  an  Ourang 
Outan.s;,  mav  be  UMij,  or  very  likclij.  The  epithet  there 
nlers  to  moral  character."    Port  Folio,  Od.  1809,  p.  535. 

Links.  Sausages.  Used  in  some  of  the  country  towns  of 
New  Knghuid.  It  is  also  used  in  Suffolk  in  England. 
See  Groftc^e  Prov.  Gloss. 

LiXTo.     Sec  LeanUy. 

LisTEK.  "  One  who  receives  and  makes  returns  of  ratable 
estate.  Conncdicnt.**    TFebst.  Did. 

Lit  or  Light,  Cpret.  and  part,  of  to  light. J 

This  word  is  censured,  in  a  review  of  Bancroft's  Life 
if  JFashington,  in  the  Monthly  Antliology,  vol.  iv.  p.  666, 
The  reviewers  say,  "  it  has  never  been  admitted  into 
goud  company,  and  we  hope  never  will  be."  Tliis  form 
of  the  verb  is  to  be  found  in  all  the  dictionaries ;  and  in  this 
country,  as  in  England,  it  is  much  used  in  conversation. 
Bisliop  L(^)wth  remarks,  fSee  chap,  on  Irregular  Verbs, 
sect.  1.)  that  "  the  regular  form  is  preferable,  and  pre- 
vails most  in  writing  j"  and  this  is  agreeable  to  tiie  gen- 
eral practice  in  America. 

The  British  Critic  tlius  condemns  the  useof  this  irreg« 
nlar  form  of  the  verb  in  a  modern  English  work  :  *<  Lit, 
in  two  or  three  places,  for  lighted — a  terrible  vulgarism.'* 
vol.  ix.  p.  313  ;  in  a  review  of  the  Sea,  a  Poem  by  John  Bid-, 
lake,  London,  1796. 
To  Loan. 

In  the  preface  to  the  London  edition  of  Ramsay's- 
History  of  the  American  Revolution,  this  is  classed  a- 
mong  those  American  verbs,  which  tiie  English  "  have 
altogether  declined  to  countenance  5"  and  "  which,  (says 


1S7 

the  Editor)  appear  to  be  verbs  invented  without  any  ap- 
parent reason.'* 

To  Locate.  1.  To  place.  <«  A  number  of  courts  properly 
located  will  keep  the  business  of  any  country  in  such  con- 
dition as  but  few  suits  will  be  instituted."  Debates  on  the 
Judiciary^  p.  51. 

2.  "  To  survey  or  fix  the  bounds  of  unsettled  land, 
or  to  designate  a  tract  by  a  wi-iting."  JVebst.  Did.  This 
verb  is  not  in  the  English  dictionaries. 

Location.  "  The  act  of  designating  or  surveying  and 
bounding  land  ;   the  tract  so  designated."  Webst. 

This  substantive  is  in  the  English  dictionaries,  but 
not  in  this  sense. 

Lot.  «  A  share  or  division  of  land  ;  a  field."  TFebst.  Did. 
Hence,  a  house-lot^  shop4ot,  &c. 

Ml'.  Webster,  after  observing  upon  several  new  terms, 
which  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  our  country  have 
rendered  necessary  in  tlie  language,  thus  mentions  the 
word  lot  with  some  others  :  "  Lots  and  locations  of  land, 
with  located  and  unlocated  rights,  form  in  this  cour.trv-  a 
new  language,  to  whi(-h  the  British  people  are  strangers."* 
In  t!ie  first  settlement  of  this  country  a  certain  portion  or 
share  of  land  was  allotted  to  each  inhabitant  of  a  town  ; 
and  this  was  called  his  lot.  Both  lot  and  allotment  occur 
in  our  early  laws  :  «  In  any  and  every  town  of  this  pro- 
vince where  several  allotments  of  upland  and  meadow  are 

inclosed  and  fenred  in  one  geni'ral  field the  propri- 

etf>rs  of  each  lot  respectively  dui'ing  the  time  of  liis  or 
their  feeding,  planting,  mowing,  or  otherwise  improving 
his  part  in  such  genvral  field,  shall  make  and  maintain 
his  or  their  respective  part  of  the  whole  fence,  according 
to  the  (piantity  of  acres  of  land  contained  in  his  or  their 
«tto<meMi,"  tVc.   Mass.  Provindal  Stat,  4  Geo.  cap.  ;». 

*  Compendious  Dictionary,  prrf.  p.  xxii. 


I3i8 

Lumber.  ♦•Timber  in  p;cnci*al ;  but  cbiefly  small  timber,  as 
boards,  stavrs,  hoops,  scantling,"  &c.   IFebst.  Did. 

LuMBKKKR.  "  To  tbis  mill  the  surrounding  lumberers  or 
sellers  of  timber  bring  their  logs,"  &c.  Kendal's  Travels, 
vol.  iii.  p.  33.  A  technical  term  used  only  in  thjse  parts 
of  tiie  Ui.ited  States,  where  lumber  is  procured. 

Mad.     Angry,  vexed. 

«  I  was  quite  mad  at  liim,  he  made  me  mad.  In  this 
instance  mad  is  o»  ly  a  metaphor  for  angry.  This  is  per- 
haps an  English  vulgarism,  but  it  is  not  found  in  any 
accurate  writer,  nor  used  by  any  good  speaker,  unless 
when  poets  or  orators  use  it  as  a  strong  figure,  and  to 
heighten  the  expression,  say,  he  was  mxid  with  rage." 
Withersp.  Druid,  No.  5. 

Mad,  in  the  sense  of  angry,  is  considered  as  a  low 
word  in  this  country,  and  at  the  present  day  is  never 
used  except  in  very  familiar  conversation.  It  seems  that 
it  is  also  used  in  this  manner  in  Ireland.  In  Miss  Edge- 
woilh's  Castle  Rack  Rent,  an  Irishman  says — "  My  lady 
would  have  the  last  word,  and  Sir  Murtagh  grewmarf;" 
that  is,  "  grew  angry ;"  a  meaning,  which  the  author 
thinks  it  necessary  to  explain  to  her  English  readers  in 
the  Glossary  to  the  work.  The  same  use  of  the  word  by 
an  Irish  youth  in  the  Eton  Montem  (Edgeworth*s  Parent's 
Assistant)  is  the  cause  of  his  giving  offence  to  one  of  his 
English  fellow  students,  who  is  not  reconciled  to  him  un- 
til the  Irish  meaning  of  the  term  is  explained.  Mad  is 
also  used  in  the  same  sense  in  the  JSorth  of  England : 
"  Mad  ;  angry.  He  made  mad.*  I  was  mad  at  him, 
JVoW/t.  See  Old  Plays,  2d  edit.  vol.  i.  p.  65."  Pegge^s 
Supplement  to  Grose's  Provincial  Glossary.  It  is  also  put 
into  the  mouth  of  one  of  the  characters  in  the  Spectator, 
No.  176  :   "  Indeed,  my  dear,  you  make  me  mad  some- 

•   Qu.  if  this  is  not  an  error  of  the  press  for— he  made  me  mad. 


times,  ^o  you  do."  An  English  friend  remarks,  that 
*'  this  word,  in  the  sense  of  being  angry,  is  certainly  very 
common  in  England  ;  but  it  is  rarely  employed  unless  in 
conversation.  The  English  say,  *  a  man  is  mad  with 
himself,  or  at  himself.'  That  the  style  of  the  expression 
quoted  from  the  Spectator  is  only  that  of  conversation,  may 
be  inferred  from  the  manner,  in  which  it  is  introduced  in 
that  work — a  work,  by  the  way,  of  very  mixed  authori- 
ty and  very  various  merit."   A. 

The  verb  to  mad,  in  the  sense  of  to  make  angry,  is 
also  in  use  in  many  parts  of  this  country  ;  but  it  is  con- 
sidered as  a  mere  vulgarism. 
Madam. 

«<  Here  and  in  some  neighbouring  places  it  has  been 
and  still  is  the  practice,  to  prefix  to  the  name  of  a  deceas- 
ed female  of  some  consideration,  as  the  parson's,  the  dea- 
con's, or  the  doctor's  wife,  the  title  of  Madam.'*  KendaVs 
Travels,  vol.  ii.  p.  44 ;  where  the  author  is  speaking  of 
Plymouth  in  Massachusetts.  This  practice  (like  that  of 
giving  magistrates  the  title  of 'Squire)  prevails  in  most  of 
the  country -towns  of  New  England  ;  but  is  scarcely  known 
at  the  present  day  in  the  sea-port  towns. 
Mankind. 

Mr.  Kendal  quotes  the  following,  as  an  expression 
used  in  the  state  of  Vermont :  **  If  tlic  government  can 
put  mankind  in  gaols,"  &c. ;  and  he  then  makes  this  re- 
mark— "  It  is  to  be  observed,  tliat  the  word  mankind,  so 
ludicrous  in  its  application  here,  is  frequently  used  in  New 
England,  as  in  this  example,  for  men,  in  the  indefinite 
sense."  KendaVs  Travels,  vol.  iii.  p.  253.  This  use  of 
the  word  is,  I  think,  unknown  in  the  towns  on  the  sea- 
coast  of  New  England. 
Marooning.     Used  in  this  expression — «  A  marooning  party." 

A  friend,  who  has  resided  in  Cbavleston  (South  Caro- 
17 


130 

linn)  observes,  tliat  "  the  country  about  (Jbarlcston  is  laot 
so  thickly  settled  as  in  Massachusetts  j  and  therefore  a 
mnroomng  party  always  carry  their  provisions  with 
tbein  :    I  think  it  always  means  a  party  to  the  aea-shore." 

Meadow. 

In  New  England  this  word  means  exclusively  grass 
land,  which  is  moist  or  subject  to  being  oveijioxved ;  and 
land,  which  is  not  so,  is  called  upland.  In  England  2X^,0, 
the  term  meadow  is  used  among  agiuculturists  in  the  lim- 
ited sense  above  mentioned.  But  there  it  has  also  a  more 
general  signification,  conformable  to  its  etymology  ;  that 
is,  land  that  may  be  mowed.^  Accordingly  it  is  defined 
by  Bailey — «  Pasture  land,  yielding  grass,  hay  j"  and 
Sheridan  (who  is  followed  by  Walker)  also  defines  it — *•  a 
rich  pasture  ground,  from  which  hay  is  made."  A  sim- 
ilar explanation  of  it  is  given  by  several  other  lexico- 
graphers. On  the  other  hand,  Dr.  Johnson  gives  it  only 
the  limited  signification — *'  Ground  somew  hat  watery,  not 
plouglied,  but  covered  with  grass  and  flowers.'* 

Mean /or  Means. 

Many  American  writers,  following  the  Scottish  mod- 
els, make  use  of  mean  instead  of  means,  Ex.  "  It  was 
the  best  mean  of  bringing  t]\e  negotiation  to  a  happy  is- 
sue.'* Marsh.  Life  of  Washington,  vol.  v.  p.  5i6.  «  That 
[party]  winch  had  been  reproached  with  a  desire  to  ac- 
cumulate debt  as  a  mean  of  subverting  the  republican 
system."  p.  60i  ;  and  in  other  places.  But  the  establish- 
ed practice  among  English  WTiters  from  the  time  of  Ad- 
dison to  the  present  day,  has  been  to  use  the  plural 
means.  A  few  writers,  however,  among  the  English, 
have   struggled   against  this  general   usage;   but   Dr. 

*  "Meadow,  mead.     Aug.   Snxor,, 'mxd  (^'i.  e.  riuni:edj  moxoecl .-    the 
past  participle  of  mcivwn?;."   Diversitns  of  Purlci/. 


131 

Johnson  himself,  though  he  considers  those  who  employ 
the  plural  means  with  an  adjective  singular,  as  using  it 
*<  not  very  grammatically,"  observes,  that  "  the  singular 
in  this  sense  is  now  rarehj  used."  Bishop  Lowth,  with- 
out denying  that  the  general  practice  is  to  use  the  plu- 
ral means  with  an  adjective  singular,  is  of  opinion, 
that  we  ought  cither  to  say  by  this  mean,  by  that  mean, 
&c.  or  by  these  means,  and  by  those  means,  6cc.  See  his 
Grammar,  ch.  on  Sentences,  note  1.  Dr.  Priestley  says — 
"  The  word  means  belongs  to  the  class  of  words,  which  do 
not  change  their  terminations  on  account  of  number  j  for  it 
is  used  alike  in  both  numbers.  Lest  this  means  should  fail, 
Hume's  Hist.  vol.  viii.  p.  65.  Some  persons,  however,  (he 
adds)  use  the  singular  of  this  word,  and  would  say,  lest 
/Ms  mean  should  fail ;  and  Dr.  Lowth  pleads  for  it;  but 
custom  has  so  formed  our  ears,  that  they  do  not  easily  ad- 
mit this  form  of  the  word,  notwithstanding  it  is  more 
agreeable  to  the  general  analogy  of  the  language." 
Friestleifs  Grammar,  JSTotes,  sect.  1. 

Dr.  Campbell  (contrary  to  the  practice  of  the  Scottish 
WTiters  in  general)  uses  this  means,  that  means,  &c ;  and, 
after  alluding  to  the  opinions  of  Johnson,  Lowth,  and 
Priestley,  expresses  himself  in  the  following  strong  terms  : 
That  however  the  appearance  of  solecism  may  induce  crit- 
ics, who  are  accustomed  to  attend  to  the  rules  of  syntax, 
to  avoid  the  expressions  in  question,  )  ct  "  no  person  of 
taste,  1  presume,  will  venture  so  far  to  violate  the  present 
usage  ,  and  consequently  to  sliock  the  ears  of  the  general- 
ity of  readers,  as  to  say.  By  this  mean,  or  By  that  mean." 
Fhilos.  ofBhet.  B.  ii.  ch.  x\   sect.  3.  p.  216,  Boston  edit. 

The  British  Critic,  in  a  review  of  Sermons  by  John 
Disney,  expresses  a  similar  opinion  :  "  We  observe  in 
some  passages,  that  the  autlior  uses  the  expression  of  a 
mean,  for  that  by  which  we  do  any  tiling.     How  the  sin- 


13S 

guljii-  ot  means,  in  this  sense,  became  obsolete,  we  know 
iiol,  but  it  is  so  ;  and  Means  itself  has  since  been  some- 
(iims  made  singular  by  violence.  ">Ve  heartily  v>ish  a 
mean  revived  by  common  consent  j  but  till  it  is,  as  there 
is  something  in  it  that  offends  the  ear,  we  think  it  more 
advisable  to  throw  it  always  into  the  plural,  or  to  employ 
finoth(r  phrase."    Brit.  CriL^\o\.  1.  p.  159,  note. 

The  expressions,  that  meansy  may  be  defended  by 
the  ancient  use  of  the  word  that,  which  like  the  word 
it  (according  to  Home  Tooke)  was  applied  by  the  old 
writers  "  indifferently  to  plural  nouns  and  to  singular  ;" 
and  this  was  the  practice  as  late  as  the  time  of  Sii* 
N  Thomas  More.  The  following  are  some  of  the  authori- 
ties cited  by  Tooke  on  this  point :  "  There  was  a  statute 
or  ii  deuysed  to  take  away  that  peines  of  the  church, 
that  were  before  alwaies  ordeined  and  used  against  marl- 
ed priestes'' — "  to  the  entent  they  might  the  more  fully 
and  frely  repose  themselves  in  that  unspeakable  joyes 
with  which  Christ  feedethe  them."  p.  liO  and  284  of  a 
Traidise  by  Dr.  Martin,  "  who  (says  Tooke)  wrote  accu- 
rately and  was  no  mean  scholar."  Sir  Thomas  More  also 
uses  it  in  the  same  manner :  "  This  pleasure  undoubtedly 
farre  excelleth  aU  that  pleasures  that  in  this  life  male  be 
obteined.  tife  of  Picus,]).  ±2.  That  euyll  aungels  the 
deuilles.  -p.  386,  of  his  Workes."  See  Diversions  of  Furleys 
pari  2.  p.  *7.  Jliner.  edit. 
Member  of  the  church, 

<•  Returning  to  his  house  I  missed  a  young  man  whe 
had  been  with  us  j  and  on  inquiring  for  him,  was  inform- 
ed, that  he  had  stayed  behind,  to  receive  the  sacrament, 
with  the  addition,  that  he  was  a  Member  of  the  church.  I 
was  at  length  made  to  understand,  that  the  Church  con- 
sists in  a  narrow  circle  within  the  circle  of  settled,  quali- 
fied and  approved  inhabitants,  as  that  is  within  the  circle 


133 

of  the  Socidij ;  and  tliat  it  is  only  to  the  church  that  the 
sacrament  of  the  Last  Supper  is  administered.'*  Kendal's 
Travels,  vol.  i.  p.  115.  Members  of  the  church  are  fre- 
quently called  here,  by  way  of  eminence,  professors  of 
religion ;  and  tliis  appellation  (as  a  friend  first  remarked 
to  me)  is  also  used  among  sects  of  Christians  in  England : 
"  Professors  of  religion  have  their  own  peculiar  class  of 
besetting  sins."  Christian  Observer,  vol.  xiii.  p.  445. 

Mighty /or  Very. 

An  intelligent  friend,  who  has  travelled  in  VirginiUf 
informs  me,  that  lie  <*  found  the  adverb  mightij  in  common 
use,  in  the  conversation  of  all  classes  of  people  in  that 
State,  as  precisely  synonymous  with  very.  Ex,  gr.  Migh- 
tij cold — mighty  near  ten  o'clock — a  mighty  fine  man, 
&c." 

To  Militate. 

American  writers  often  use  the  preposition  tvith  after 
this  verb  :  The  English  say,  to  militate  against.  Ex,  "  It 
militates  equally  against  the  whole,"  &c.  Brit.  Crit.  vol.  i. 
p.  244.  "  The  few  instances  of  Enclitics  ...  so  far  mili- 
tate against  it,"  6cc.  Vol.  viii.  p.  526. 

Mission. 

This  word,  till  lately,  was  generally  used  to  signify  a 
religious  embassy ;  as  it  is  explained  by  Dr.  Johnson.  It 
was  first  employed  as  a  diplomatic  term,  I  believe,  by  A- 
merican  wviicrs ;  hut  it  seems  now  to  he  used  in  the  same 
manner  in  Great  Britain.  "  He  had  heard  it  reported,  that 
the  gentleman  [Mr.  Rose],  who  had  been  sent  on  a  viis- 
sion  to  America,"  ^c.  Debates  in  Parliament,  Feb.  26, 180S. 
"The  French  mission  was  still  suffered  to  remain  at 
Stockholm."  Edinb.Rev.\o\.\x\.  ]).  ±B5.  An  English 
friend  however  makes  the  following  remark  on  it — "  In 
England  it  may  be  doubted  whether  this  word  is  now 
listed;*  even  in  politics,  in  a  confined  and  technical  sensie- 


134 

In  tlif  iilia  of  an  Eiiglisliman  a  person  may  be  sent  by  a 
j^ovornmont  to  its  own  s^ihjedSf  as  well  as  to  a  foreign 
coiul.  Nor  need  tbc  party  sent  to  a  foreign  court,  on 
some  of  tlicse  missions,  be  clothed  with  any  *  official '  ti- 
tlc/»   Jl. 

To  MissToxATE.  To  perform  the  ser-vices  of  a  missionary. 
**A  low  ecclesiastical  word  (says  a  learned  clerical 
correspondent)  used  in  conversation"  in  America.  It  is 
also  used  sometimes  in  iheological  publications.  A  friend 
lias  referred  me,  for  an  instance  of  it,  to  the  Missionarij 
MagaxinCf  vol.  ii.  p.  12  and  13  ;  but  it  is  there  used  only 
in  the  familiar  style  of  a  letter. 

MoccAsoN  or  MoGGAsoN  (commonly  pronounced  moggason.') 
"  A  shoe  of  soft  lether*  without  a  sole,  ornamented  round 
the  ankle."  nYost.  Diet,    An  Indian  name. 

MouGHT.  Qrret.  of  »Might.) 

*'  J\Might  for  might  is  heard  in  most  of  the  States,  but 
not  frequently  except  in  a  few  towns."  JVebstcr's  Dis- 
sertations, p.  111.  I'ut  this  is  only  among  the  illiterate. 
This  old  preterite  is  also  mentioned  as  a  *<  Londonism," 
in  Tegge-s  very  amusing  "  Anecdotes  of  the  English  Lan- 
gnage,"  where  it  is  tlius  ironically  defended  : 

"  This  word  is  allowed  by  Bailey  in  his  dictionary 
(Scott*s  edit.)  and  by  Dr.  Johnson,  to  have  been  former- 
ly used  for  the  modern  word  might;  though  they 
both  observe  that  mought  is  now  grown  obsolete.  So 
much  the  better  ;  for  professed  Antiquaries,  my  dear  Sir, 
of  all  men,  ought  not  to  reject  a  word  on  account  of  its 
Ancientry!  Chaucer  and  other  writers  of  an  early  date 
use  it  repeatedly.!  "  Dr.  Wallis,  speaking  of  might,  vol- 
untarily adds — <  olim  mought ;'  though  he  does  not  give  us 
any  farther  pai-t  of  its  history.     It  is  clear,  however,  that 

•  Mr  Webster's  orthography  of  leatfier. 

■j-  "  Sec  the  Glossaries  to  Chaucer  ;  Fairfax'sTasso ;  and  the  Reliques 
of  Ancient  English  Foctry." 


135 

all  these  authorities  must  prevail,  as  being  well  founded  ; 
and  that  our  word  might  is  merely  a  delicate  pronunciation 
fur  female  lips,  or  introdu'-^d  by  foppish  refinements  under 
the  foolish  French  appellations  of  bon  toti,  instead  of 
monghtf  which  has  stronger  claims  to  regular  formation.*' 
Pegge's  JinecdoteSf  p.  113  ;  second  edit  London,  1814. 

Muggy.  Damp,  close.  Used  in  speaking  of  the  weather. 
Ex.  It  is  muggy  weather  j  it  is  a  muggy  day.  JVeto 
England, 

In  this  country,  the  term  muggy  is  applied  to  tlie 
Tveather  only  ;  and  this  use  of  it  is  provincial  in  Eng- 
land :  "  Muggy  ;  moist ;  muggy  weatlier.  North." 
Fegge's  Supplement  to  Grose's  Prov.  Gloss.  «  Muggy, 
poothery,*  (the  oo  short)  close,  muggy,  sultry ;  spoken 
of  the  weather."  MarshaWs  Rural  Econ.  Midland  Conn- 
ties.  But  in  England  tlie  term  is  applied  to  other  things, 
as  well  as  to  the  weather.  Dr.  Johnson  gives  the  fol- 
lowing example :  "  Cover  with  muggy  straw  to  keep  it 
moist." 

Mush.  "Food  of  maia,  flower  and  water  boiled,  (local)." 
Wehst.  Diet.  Used  in  some  of  tlie  Sautliern  States,  for 
the  same  thing  that  in  the  JVorthcrn  States  is  called  Hasty - 
puddhig. 

Musical. 

A  friend  informs  me,  that  in  some  towns  in  the  inte- 
rior of  New  England,  this  word  is  used  in  the  extraordi- 
nary sense  of  humorous.  They  would  say  of  a  man  of 
humour.  He  is  very  musical. 

Naked.  **  An  act  of  naked  trust."  First  Ripe  Fruits,  being 
a  Collection  of  Tracts  ^*c.  by  the  Rev.  John  Mason,  JWtr 
York,  1803. 

The  English  Reviewers  quote  this  expression  (among 
others)  as  an  instance  of  what  they  call  the  «  occasional 

*  This  word  "poothery"  is  entirrly  new  to  vnr. 


136 

viil^-arisms,  possibly  Ane;l()-Amcricanisms"  of  Dr.  Ma- 
son's work.  Seethe  review  of  it  in  the  Christian  Observ- 
er^ vol.  ii.  p.  56k.  The  expression  is  not  a  common  one 
\\\{\\  our  writers  ;  I  never  met  with  it  in  any  other  Amer- 
ican work, 
lb  Narrate.    "  To  relate,  to  tell."  Johnson. 

This  veil)  is  noticed,  by  beiiig  printed  in  Italics,  ia 
some  English  works,  where  extracts  have  been  made 
from  American  publications.  Dr.  Johnson  says,  it  is  "  a 
word  only  used  in  Scotland.^*  Walker,  without  contro- 
verting Johnson's  assertion,  thus  defends  the  word  :  «<  As 
it  is  regularly  derived  from  tlie  Latin  narro,  and  has  a 
specific  meaning  to  distinguish  it  from  every  other  word, 
it  ought  to  be  considered  as  a  necessary  part  of  the  lan- 
guage. To  tell  seems  to  imply  communication  in  the  most 
general  sense  :  "  as  to  tell  a  storij,  to  tell  a  secret,  &c.  To 
relate,  is  to  tell  at  some  length,  and  in  some  order,  as  to 
relate  the  particulars  of  a  transaction.  But  to  narrate 
seems  to  relate  a  transaction  in  order  from  beginning  to 
end  ;  which  often  becomes  insipid  and  tiresome.  Hence 
the  beauty  of  Pope's — narrative  old  age  : 

"  Tlie  poor,  the  rich,  llie  valiant,  and  the  sage. 
And  boasting  youth,  and  riarrative  old  age." 

In  the  former  edition  of  this  work,  I  remarked,  that  I 
did  not  think  this  distinction  was  observed  by  English  wri- 
tei-s.  An  English  friend  says — ''Walker's  distinction  is 
unknown  to  me  ;  for  narrative  is  synonymous  to  talka- 
tive in  the  verse  from  Pope."  He  adds,  that  the  verb  to 
narrate  "  is  too  formal  to  be  much  used  in  English  con- 
versation :  Tt  has  often  been  used  in  some  authors,  but 
perhaps  not  always  by  the  best."  J.  It  is  often  used  in 
tlie  Edinburgh  Review.  See,  for  instance,  vol.  ii.  p.  507, 
where  it  is  used  twice  in  the  same  page  :  But  the  Eng- 
lish reviewers  rarely  employ  it.     In  tlie  qu.irterly  Review 


it  is  condemned  in  the  following  strong  terms — ^'<  The 
abominable  verb  *  7urrafe,'  which  must  absolutely  be  pro- 
scribed in  all  good  writing."  vol.  ix.  p.  433. 

Nationality. 

Used  by  some  writers  in  America.  I  have  also  met 
with  it  once  in  the  quarterly  Review  ;  but  it  is  printed  in 
italics.  It  is  a  new  word,  and  is  not  to  be  found  in  the 
dictionaries. 

Navigatiopt.  Shipping.  «  The  word  navigation  is  used  in 
New  England  for  shippings  and  for  sea-faring.^'  Kend. 
Trav.  vol.  i.  p.  321,  note.  It  is  in  constant  use  in  the 
Jirst  of  these  significations,  but  I  never  heard  it  used  in 
the  other ;  nor  do  I  perceive,  how  it  could  well  be  em- 
ployed as  a  substitute  for  this  adjective.  Johnson  lias 
"  vessels  of  navigation,"  as  one  of  the  meanings  of  tlie 
word ;  but  it  is  on  the  authority  of  Shakspeare  : 

"  Tho'  you  untie  the  winds,  and  let  them  fight 
Against  the  churches,  tho'  the  testy  waves 
Confound  and  swallow  narnifation  up." 

Near  for  To  or  At  ;  in  these  expressions — Tlie  minister 
plenipotentiary  near  the  Court  of  St.  James's — near  the 
United  States,  &c. 

This  Gallicism  was  first  used  here  in  translations  of 
the  diplomatic  correspondence  between  the  French  and  A- 
merican  governments  ;  and  from  tlie  language  ol'  transla- 
tions ("  the  great  pr st  of  speech,"  as  Dr.  Jolmson  calls 
them)  it  has  been  adopted  in  miiny  of  oui-  original  com- 
positions. An  English  friend  has  favoured  me  with  the 
following  remarks  upon  it : 

<'  Some  American  writers,  eminent  for  the  offices  they 
have  borne  and  for  their  literature,  speak  of  an  «  ambassa- 
dor near  a  court ;'  which  is  a  translation  of  the  French 
expression  of  <  ambassadcur  pres  ou  anpres  d*unc  cour.' 
But  as  the  French  say  also.,  *  ambassadeur  d  Rome/  and 
18 


188 

»  ambassadoui'  a  la  com,'  why  should  we  desert  the  old 
En.e;lish  phraseoh>i5y  of  •  ambassador  <o,  or  at,  a  court?' 
To  say  that  a  minister  is  iiear  a  court,  may  seem  to  im- 
ply in  Enii;iish,  that  lie  is  merely  in  some  adjoining  coun- 
try;  whereas  the  ordinary  English  phrases  of  to  and  at 
are  attended  with  no  such  ambiguity.  Mons.  de  Cal- 
lieres,  one  of  the  Forty  Members  of  the  Frencli  Academy 
of  Belles  Lettres,  and  who  was  also  m«  niber  of  the  coun- 
cil of  Louis  XIV,  and  Secretary  of  his  Cabinet,  as  well 
as  one  of  his  negotiators  at  Ryswiok,  is  the  authority  for 
the  foregoing  French  expressions  on  these  subjects.  He 
also  uses  the  following  expressions  as  to  ministers — '  ar- 
rive dans  une  cour — approchant  de  la  cour — ministre  ponr 
la  cour,  and,  envoye  vers  un  prince ;'  among  which  the 
phrase  of »  minister/or  a  court'  would  better  suit  the  idiom 
of  our  language,  than  that  upon  which  we  comment ',  were 
it  necessary  to  make  any  change  in  our  customary  form 
of  speaking  on  tliis  occaion."     w3. 

Netop. 

This  Indian  word  (as  a  friend  informs  me)  is  still 
used,  colloquially,  in  some  towns  in  the  interior  of  Massa- 
chusetts, to  signify  a  friend,  or  to  use  a  cant  word)  a  crony. 
It  is  mentioned  in  Roger  Williams'  Key  to  the  JVarragan- 
set  Language,  published  in  the  Collections  of  the  Massachu- 
setts Historical  Society,  vol.  v.  p.  82.  Williams  says, 
"  What  cheer,  netop,  is  the  general  salutation  of  all  Eng- 
lish towards  them  [the  Indians.]" 

To  Notice. 

This  is  not,  as  some  persons  have  supposed,  au  Amer- 
icanism. It  is  a  modern  word,  and  is  not  in  Johnson's 
dictionary.  Mason  says,  it  is  "  a  word  imported  into 
Englisli  conversation  from  Ireland;"  but  it  is  now  used 
in  England,  botli  in  conversation  and  in  writing:  "This 
work,  which  W8  really  thought  we  had  noticed  long  ago." 


139 

British  Critic^  vol.  xxxiv.  p.  537.  "  The  fourth,  whicU 
we  lately  noticed,  &c.  vol.  xxxv.  p.  18.  The  only  Eng- 
lish dictionary,  in  which  I  find  it,  is  Jsh's  ;  where  it  is 
said  to  be  "  not  much  used.'*  But  that  work  was  published 
forty  years  ago. 

Noticeable. 

A  correspondent  has  remarked  upon  this  as  an  Amer- 
icanism; and  he  has  referred  me  to  the  following  instance 
of  the  use  of  it ;  "  The  moon's  limb  exhibited  very  little 
of  that  rough  or  serrated  appearance,  which  was  so  no- 
Hceable  in  1806.  Memoirs  of  the  Jmer.  Acad.  vol.  iii.  p.  2*8. 
Mr.  Webster  \\?LS  admitted  it  into  his  dictionary  j  but  it 
is  not  in  the  English  ones. 

To  Notify. 

The  following  remarks  of  Dr.  Witherspoon  will  ex- 
plain tlie  American  and  the  English  maimer  of  using  this 
verb  :  "  This  is  to  notify  the  public  ;  or  the  people  had 
not  been  notified.  By  this  is  meant  inform  and  informed. 
In  English  we  do  not  notify  the  person  of  the  thing,  but  noti- 
fy the  thing  to  the  person.  In  this  instance  there  is  cer- 
tainly an  impropriety ;  for  to  notifij  is  just  saying  by  a  word 
of  Latin  derivation  to  make  known.  Now  if  you  cannot  say, 
this  is  to  make  the  public  known,  neither  ought  you  to  say, 
this  is  to  notify  the  public."  Druid,  No.  5.  Some  American 
writers  preserve  the  English  idiom  :  '<  The  official  letter, 
notifying  to  the  Convention  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Ge- 
net," &c.  Marsh.  Life  of  Washing,  vol.  v.  Appendix,  p. 
18.  The  practice  of  writers  in  England  seems  to  have 
been  invariable,  from  the  days  of  Addison  to  the  pres- 
ent :  "  Having  notified  to  my  good  friend  Sir  Roger,  that 
I  should  set  out  for  London,"  kc.  Spectat.  No.  132.  The 
act  of  notifijing  to  the  world."  Johns.  Diet,  under  the  word 
Publication.  «  The  Commander  in  Chief,  therefore,  has 
it  in  command  to  convey  to  all  those  officers  the  highest 


140 

(Usploasurc  of  the  Prince  Regent  for  conduct  so  unmili- 
tary  and  dis.i^raccfid,  and  to  notify  to  them  tliat  they  are 
no  l()n.a:<'r  (►lliccis  in  liis  majesty's  service."  Ihike  of 
rork\s  General  Orders,  Sept.  10,  1813.  In  advertisements 
in  the  newspapers,  where  we  should  commonly  say,  tJie 
piibliCi  or  tlie  inhabitants  of  the  town  &c.  are  hereby  notifi- 
ed, the  English  would  say,  Notice  is  hereby  given,'*   &c. 

Notions.     Small  wares.     JV*ew  England,     A  low  word. 

To  Obligate. 

"  I'lic  word  obligate  is  unnecepsarj',  and  has  no  res- 
pectable sui>])ort."  Review  of  Mr.  fFebster's  Did.  in  the 
Monthly  Anthology,  vol.  vii.  p.  263.  It  is  in  the  dictiona- 
ries, and  is  sometimes  used  by  English  writers ;  but  it  is 
not  considered  as  an  authorized  word.  The  British  Crit- 
ic, (in  tlie  review  of  a  Discmirse  by  George  Somers  Clark, 
of  Trinity  College,  Oxford  J  makes  this  remark  upon  it : 
"  We  object,  however,  to  the  use  of  the  word  <  obligated*  for 
*  obliged,*  a  low  colloquial  inaccuracy."    vol.  ii.  p.  212. 

Obligemext. 

A  friend  informs  me,  that  he  has  sometimes  heard  this 
antiquated  word  used  by  old  people  in  New  England.  It 
is  not  very  common. 

To  Obliviate.     To  cause  to  be  forgotten. 

I  have  never  seen  this  extraordinary  word  but  once 
in  any  American  publication. 

Obnoxious. 

This  has  been  generally  used  by  American  writers  in 
the  sense  of  odious,  offensive,  noocious,  disagreeable,  &c. 
**  Habit  renders  the  burden  not  only  less  obnoxious,  but 
less  oppressive  also."  Marsh.  Life  of  Washing,  vol.  v.  p. 
264..  The  English  formerly  used  obnoxious  in  the  sense 
of  liable  or  subject  to;  and  Johnson  accordingly  explains 
eacli  of  these  words  by  the  others.  But  the  practice  in 
England  is  not  invariable.    A  writer  in  the  European 


141 

Magazinef  (for  Sept.  1806,  p.  182)  mentions  among  the 
improprieties  of  tlie  present  day  in  England^  this  «<  use 
of  the  word  obnoxious  for  noxious  or  hurfful ;  th&X  such 
a  tiling  is  very  obnoxious.  Now,  Sir,  you  know  (says 
he  to  the  editor)  that  tlie  fact  is,  that  the  word  is  perfect- 
ly innocent  of  any  such  meaning,  and  that  it  simply  im- 
plies, incident,  liable^  or  subject  to;  such  as,  that  people  are 
obnoxious  (liable)  to  agues."  The  use  of  this  word  in 
the  sense  of  odious  or  offensive  does  not  seem  to  be  alto- 
gether an  impropriety  of  the  present  day.  Ash  (who  wrote 
forty  years  ago)  mentions  this  as  one  of  the  meanings  of 
the  word  ;  he  says,  however,  that  "  this  sense  is  colloqui- 
al." At  the  present  day  it  is  often  used  in  writing.  "  E- 
very  proposition  made  in  your  parliament  to  remove  the 
original  cause  of  these  troubles  by  taking  off  taxes,  obnox- 
ious for  their  principle  or  their  design,  had  been  overru- 
led." Burke's  Fourth  Letter  on  the  Regicide  Peace.  "  While 
therefore  the  Church  of  Rome  declares  any  mitigation  of 
her  most  obnoxious  doctrines  to  be  impossible,"  &c.  ((uart. 
Rev,  Jan.  ISli^,  p.  421.  The  use  of  obnoxious,  however, 
in  the  sense  of  noxious  is  severely  censured  in  the  British 
Critic:   See  vol.  ix.  p.  73. 

Occasion. 

Dr.  Witherspoon  ranks  the  following  use  of  this  word 
among  the  "  local  phrases  and  terms"  of  New  England  : 
**  Shall  I  have  occasion,  i.  e.  opportunity,  to  go  over  the 
ferry?"  1  never  heard  it  used  in  this  sense  ;  but  it  is  of- 
ten used  for  needy  in  this  manner :  <"  I  have  no  occasion  for 
it." 

Occlusion.  A  shutting  up,  closing.  ••  The  occlusion  of  the 
port  of  New  Orleans  by  the  Spaniards  was  calculated  to 
give  general  alarm  through  the  United  States."  Letter  of 
President  Jefferson  to  Gov.  Garrard,  Dec.  ±6,  1802. 

This  word  has  been  oCtcn  noticed,  and  ridiculed,  b^ 


14S 

ilic  Enp,Iisli,  as  il"  it  was  a  word  in  general  use  in  Amer- 
ica ;  Aviiicli  is  by  no  means  the  case.  Some  few  persons 
in  111  is  countiy,  however,  w'hose  writings  have  reached 
Kiii^Iand,  have  made  use  of  it ;  but,  though  this  may  be  a 
rcnsonabh>  gi'ound  with  an  Englishman  for  presuuiing  it 
to  be  one  of  our  common  w  ords,  yet  the  peculiar  opinions 
of  a  few  inflividiials  can  no  more  make  a  usage  here  than 
in  En.^land  ;  and  this  very  word  has  been  the  subject  of 
as  much  ridicule  in  this  country,  as  it  has  been  there. 
Some  i)crsons  have  supposed  that  occlusion  was  used 
here  for  the  first  time  in  the  letter  above  quoted  j 
but  this  is  not  the  fact.  It  was  used  many  years  before 
that,  in  Dr.  Ramsay's  History  of  the  American  Revohitioih 
(published  in  1789)  vol.  i.  p.  103  :  "  He  had  also  hoped, 
tluit  the  ]n'(;spect  of  advantage  to  the  town  of  Salem,  from 
its  being  made  the  seat  of  the  custom-house,  and  from  the 
occlusion  of  the  port  of  Boston,  would  detach  them  from 
the  interest  of  the  latter,"  k.c.  In  the  London  edition  of 
the  work,  this  word,  being  doubtless  new  to  the  English 
editor,  w  as  probably  supposed  to  be  an  error  of  the  press 
in  the  Jmeiican  copy,  and  it  is  accordingly  changed  into 
a  word  resembling  it  in  sound,  and  wliich  would  occupy 
tlie  same  space  in  the  page,  the  word  ex-clusion,  Occlu- 
sion  is  in  the  dictionaries. 

OlFSET. 

This  is  much  used  by  the  lawyers  of  America  instead 
of  the  English  term  set-off;  and  it  is  also  very  common, 
in  popular  language,  in  the  sense  of  an  equivalent:  "  The 
expense  of  the  frigates  had  been  strongly  urged,  but  the 
saving  in  insurance,  in  ships  and  cargoes,  and  the  ran- 
som of  seamen,  was  more  than  an  offset  against  this  item." 
Marsh.  Life  of  Washing,  vol.  v.  p.  529.  It  is  not  in  the 
dictionaries.  In  the  technical  sense  of  the  writers  on  agri- 
rnlhire  (that  is,  for  a  plant  divided  from  another)  it  is  com- 


143 

mon  in  England  as  well  as  in  this  country ;  and  it  is  of- 
ten used  figuratively,  by  writers  on  other  subjects  :  «  He 
avoided  giving  offence  to  any  of  the  numerous  offsets  of 
Presbyterianism."    Q^uart.  Rev.  vol.  x.  p.  198. 

Old /or  Stale  ;  in  this  expression,  old  bread.  JVew  England. 
From  the  following  exti-act,  this  seems  also  to  be  a  Scot- 
ticism :  «  The  Scotticism  old  bread  seems  no  way  iuferi- 
or  to  the  Anglicism  stale  bread."  London  Monthly  Mag- 
a&ine,  Jpr.  1800,  p.  239. 

Once  in  a  while.  Dr.  Witherspoon  has  put  this  among 
the  "  local  phrases  and  terms"  of  the  Middle  States  : 
"He  will  once  in  a  rvhikf  i.  e.  sometimeSf  get  drunk.'* 
Vruidf  No.  7.  It  is  often  used  in  New  England  ;  and  a 
friend  informs  me  that  "  it  is  colloquial  in  England."  Jl. 

Onto. 

A  writer  in  the  Cambridge  Literarij  Miscellamj  (vol. 
ii.  p.  217)  proposes  this  as  a  new  preposition  in  our  lan- 
guage, to  be  used  in  such  phrases  as  these  :  "  An  army 
inarches  (mtothe  field  of  battle ;  a  man  leaps  onto  a  fence," 
&c.  In  the  examples,  however,  which  he  gives,  there 
seems  to  be  no  need  of  any  thing  more  than  the  old  sim- 
ple prepositions,  o?i,  upon^  or  to.  The  vulgar,  indeed, 
constantly  say  on-to  or  onto;  nor  is  it,  as  this  writer  sup- 
poses, a  new  term  in  writing.  A  friend  has  referred  me 
to  the  works  of  Mr.  Marshall,  the  well  known  English 
writer  on  Agriculture,  wlio  uses  it ;  but  he  frequently 
divides  it  into  its  two  parts,  on  and  to.  "  When  the  stack 
has  risen  too  high  to  be  conveniently  forked  on  to  from 
the  ground,"  &.c.  Bural  Econ.  Yorkshire^  vol.  ii.  p.  1+*, 
London  edit.  1788.  And  in  his  Gloucestershire  (speaking 
of  the  method  of  feeding  cattle  in  Wiltshire)  he  uses  the 
compound:  "The  hay  is  all  carried  onloiha  land  upon 
men's  backs,"  kc.  vol.  ii.  p.  15-i,  and  in  other  places.  JJut 
Marshall's  works  are  written  in  the  most  familiar  style  5 


144 

antl  some  of  the  EiiJ^lish  Ri'viewers  have  censured  him 
for  what  tliry  rail  (in  one  of  his  works)  •'  a  new-fane;led 
laii.i^uaiifo  of  his  own."  Sec  Brit.  Crit.  vol.  xxii.  p.  93. 
An  Eni^lish  friend  alsi  makes  the  following  r-marks 
on  the  agricultural  writers  in  general :  «  The  English 
ai^ricnltuial  writers  ronimonly  live  in  the  country,  and 
use  many  provincial  terms  ;  and  the  phraseology  of  ma- 
ny »f  them  is  technical  to  a  degree  that  is  affected. 
Hence  their  authority  is  often  not  to  be  quoted  in  mat- 
ters of  style."  A. 

I  had  supposed  that  on  to  had  never  been  used  by  any 
American  writer ;  hut  an  obliging  friend  has  given  me 
the  following  example :  "  Take  all  your  cigarrs  and  to- 
bacco, and  in  some  calm  evening  carry  them  o?i  to  the 
common,"  kc.  Lecture  on  the  evil  tendency  of  the  use  of 
Tobacco  upon  young  persons,  by  Benjamin  fVaterhouse, 
M.  V.  p.  32. 
To  he  Opposed  to  for  To  Oppose.  Ex.  I  shall  be  op- 
posed to  that  measure — He  said  he  should  be  oppos- 
ed to  acts  of  violence.  "  Several  members  were  in  fa- 
vour of  this  motion,  but  others,  who  were  opposed  to  re- 
ceding from  the  ground  already  taken,"  &c.  Marsh.  Life 
of  Wash.  vol.  V.  p.  206,  et passim. 

Dr.  Franklin  many  years  ago  censured  this  use  of 
the  verb  oppose  as  an  innovation.  See  his  remarks  in 
the  J^ote  at  p.  110,  ante.  But  at  the  present  day,  it  is 
sometimes  used  by  Englishmen.  A  fi'iend  has  given  me 
the  following  instance  of  it  from  a  well  known  English 
work :  "  To  which  Mr.  Overton  is  as  much  opposed  as 
he  is  himself."  Christ.  Observer,  vol.  iii.  p.  692. 
To  Organize  ;  Organization.  Used  in  spealnng  of  po- 
litical bodies. 

In  the  preface  to  the  Tendon  edition  of  liamsay^s  His- 
tory of  the  American  Revolution  tliese  words  are  mention^ 


145 

ed  as  American  «  additions"  to  the  language.  "  Sonic  oi 
these  additions  (says  the  English  editor)  we  liave  our- 
selves received,  as  in  tlie  cases  of  the  words  *  organize 
and  organization,'  when  applied  to  p<.}itical  bodies."  p.  vi. 
The  compounds  disorganize^  disorganizer  and  disorganiza- 
tion (which  have  been  adopted  by  us  since  the  French 
Revolution,  and  are  not  in  any  of  the  English  dicti(tna~ 
ries)  are  also  often  used  in  the  political  publications  of  the 
day  in  England. 

I'd  Originate,  v.  a.  "  To  bring  into  existence."  Johns. 

The  use  of  this  as  an  active  verb  has  been  tiiought  by 
some  persons  to  be  peculiar  to  Amencans;  but  this  is  not 
the  case.  It  is  not  so  common  with  English  as  witli  A- 
merican  writers  ;  but  it  snm(  times  occurs  in  their  works. 
Burke  uses  it :  "  For  tlie  purpose  of  originating  a  new 
civil  order  out  of  the  first  elements  of  society."  lleJJec- 
iions  ;  vol.  iii.  p.  38,  of  hie  Works^  Amcr.  edit.  He  howev- 
er generally  employs  it  as  a  verb  neuter :  See  p.  131  and 
168,  of  the  same  volume.  But  in  the  active  sense  it  is  not 
considered  as  an  authorized  word.  An  English  Review 
thus  mentions  it,  as  one  of  the  "  few  blemishes  in  language" 
of  Discourses  on  various  subjects,  by  the  Rev.  Jiobert  Oray, 
author  of  the  Key  to  the  Old  Testament:  "  We  object  to 
the  word  originates  used  actively."  Brit.  Crit.  vol.  i.  p.  95. 
And  in  Marshall's  Life  of  Washington  (vol.  i.  j).  33)  where 
the  American  edition  has  this  expression — "  Bartholomew 
Gosnold,  who  originated  the  expedition" — the  London  edi- 
tion has — «  who  had  'planned  the  expedition." 

Over /or  Under.  In  these  expressions :  "  He  wrote  over  tlie 
signature  of  Junius.  He  published  some  papers  over  his 
own  signature." 

A  few  of  our  writers  still  countenance  this  unwarrant- 
able Innovation  ;  but  the  principle,  on  whicli  it  is  defend- 
ed, would  unsettle  the  whole  language.     The  u«e  of  the 
19 


140 

woi'd  under,  in  plii'ascs  like  tliose  above  mentioned,  is  as 
\\v\l  i-stablisliod  as  any  English  idiom.  As  it  has,  how- 
ever, been  questioned,  and  some  writers  appear  to  be  se- 
rious in  their  opinion  tiiat  it  is  incorrect  to  use  bindery  it 
seems  necessary  to  give  the  suhj  c  t  a  brief  consideration. 
Mr.  Coleman,  the  able  editor  of  the  New  York  Evening 
Post,  has  repeatedly  exposed  this  »<  piece  of  affectation," 
(as  he  Justly  calls  it,)  an;l  produced  the  following  author- 
ities from  Dr.  Johnson  and  from  Junius  :  "  The  attention 
paid  to  the  papers  published  under  the  name  of '  Bicker- 
staff'  induced  Steele  when  he  projected  a  *  Tatler'  to  as- 
sume an  appellation,  which  had  already  possession  of  the 
reader's  notice."  Johnson'' s  Life  of  Swift.  "I  admit  the 
claim  of  a  gentleman  who  publishes  in  the  Gazette  under 
the  name  of  Jlodestus."  Junius' s  Letters.^  But  neither 
the  arguments  nor  the  authorities  produced  by  Mr.  Cole- 
man seem  to  have  convinced  all  the  advocates  of  tliis  new 
piiraseology  ;  for  some  of  them  imagine  that  in  one  case, 
at  least,  it  is  necessaiy.  They  contend,  that  wheie  a  wri- 
ter assumes  a  fictitious  name,  we  may  say  •jnider  the  signa- 
ture, because  some  disguise  or  concealment  is  implied ; 
but  that  where  he  signs  his  true  name,  we  should  say  over 
his  signature.  But  what  difForence  is  tliere,  in  reality,  be- 
tween the  two  cases  ?  Tlie  advocates  of  over  contend,  that 
they  are  right  in  the  use  of  that  term,  because  the  wn- 
ting  is  placed  over  or  above  the  name  of  the  writer  ;  but 
this  Is  equally  tiue  in  the  case  of  a  fctitious  and  a  real 
signature.  It  is,  indeed,  a  sufficient  answer  to  them,  tliat 
in  practice,  among  the  few  writers  w  ho  have  adopted  over, 
this  distinction  is  not  observed  j   but  they  use  the  term  in 

•  See  the  JVVw  York  Eveniinr  Post  of  March  15,  and  Nov.  22,  1803.  A 
writer  iii  another  newspaper,  who  adopts  the  signature  of  The  Good  Old 
Way,  ironically  closer  his  remarks  upon  this  "  awkward  and  absurd  term," 
as  he  styles  it,  by  thus  employing  it — "  Given  iver  my  baud  and  seal,"  &c. 
-Vafem  Gazette,  Apr.  2,  1813. 


147 

botli  casos  injlfflfercntly.  But,  after  all,  the  question  is  a 
simple  question  of  fact — What  is  the  practice  of  the  hat  En- 
glish writers  ?  Now  it  is  so  well  known  to  be  their  inva- 
riable practice  (and  I  may  add,  the  practice  of  our  best 
writers)  to  say  nnihr  a  name,  and  under  a  signature,  that 
it  will  perliaps  hardly  be  credited  by  English  scholars,  that 
any  persons,  wlio  protend  to  speak  the  English  language, 
could  have  questioned  the  propriety  of  it.  To  the  authori- 
ties cited  by  Mr.  Coleman  I  w  ill  subjoin  only  two  or  three 
others  :  "  The  first  works  whicli  were  published  under 
my  name,''  &c.  Dedication  of  the  Tatler.  "  I  really  doubt 
whether  I  shall  write  any  more  binder  this  signature."  Fri- 
rate  Letters  of  Junius  to  Mr.  Woodfall,  No.  5.  In  the  late 
edition  oi  Junius  by  Woodfall  (published  in  1812)  the  ex- 
pression under  the  signature  is  continually  used  ;  the  very 
title  page  begins  thus  :  "  Junius,  including  Letters  by  the 
same  writer  under  other  signatures  ;''  and,  in  the  Jldrer- 
tiscment  and  Preliminary  Essay  to  this  edition,  the  phrase 
occurs  in  almost  every  page. 

Package.     A  general  term,  comprehending  hales,  hoxes,  Sec. 
of  merchandize. 

This  signification  of  tlie  word  is  not  in  the  dictiona- 
ries ;  and  a  mercantile  friend  informs  me,  that  it  has  been 
considered  as  an  Americanism.  An  Englisli  friend,  how- 
ever, remarks,  that  "  it  is  in  use  in  England  ;  but  by  the 
nature  of  the  case,  the  word  cannot  be  found  often  in  clas- 
sical authors."  Ji.  It  has  probably  been  omitted  by  the 
lexicograpliers,  as  being  a  term  jjureiy  technical.  Besides 
the  general  signification  above  mentioned,  it  is  also  often 
used  here  among  merchants  (as  a  friend  informs  me)  in 
contradistinction  to  a  bale  orot!ici"/a?;^r  package  ;  in  wliich 
case  an  English  merchant  would  use  the  term  parcel. 

Packet, 

To  the  usual  definition  of  this  word,  a  vessel  thai  carries 


118 

letters,  >lr.  Webster  adds,  *•  In  America  a  roastiiij^  vesse 
for  pa>sengers.^''  A  writer  in  the  JJanthly  Jinthologij^  for 
Or  .  1S09.  p.  262  treats  this  (anion.j;  other  instances)  as 
*»  ail  {(He  attempt  to  exhibit  a  distinction"  between  the  En- 
glish and  American  signilications.  Tlie  word  seems,  in- 
deed, to  be  applied  in  Enj^land  to  vessels  employed  for 
carryinp;  passengers  and  letters.  The  term  packet  Ims  been 
considered  as  a  mere  abbreviation  of  packet-boat ;  which 
the  English  lexicograpliers  define,  "  a  boat  for  advice  or 
passengers ;''  and  this  definition  of  packet-ftoaf  is  adopted 
by  Mr.  Webster. 

To  Packet.    **  To  ply  with  a  packet."  Webst.  Diet. 

I  have  never  known  this  verb  used  in  America  ;  nor 
is  this  signification  given  in  the  English  dictionaries.  It 
is  probably  a  local  use  of  the  word. 

Pappoose.  f  Accented  on  the  last  syllable.  J  «  The  Indian 
name  of  a  child."  Webst.  Diet.  Hence,  as  some  have  sup- 
posed, the  vulgar  expression  of  carrying  anything  a-poose 
back  (Jovpickback  or  pickapack  J  from  the  custom  among  the 
Indian  women  of  carrying  their  children,  or  pappooses,  on 
their  backs.  The  tQvm  pappoose  is  only  used  in  speaking 
of  Indian  children. 

To  Parade.  « To  assemble  and  arrange,  exhibit."  Webst, 
Diet.  Used  in  speaking  of  drawing  up  troops.  Ex,  The 
general  paraded  his  troops  at  such  a  place. 

This  verb  is  not  in  the  English  dictionaries,  and  I  do 
not  recollect  hearing  it  used  in  this  manner  by  English- 
men ;  but  as  a  verb  nenter^  it  is  not  unfrequent,  in  the  fa- 
miliar style  :  "  One  hour  you  shall  see  him  parading  Vsdl 
Mall."  Parliamentary  Portraits,  p.  148. 

Pakagraph. 

Mr.  Kendal  (Travels,  vol.  i.  p.  31.)  after  quoting  a 
Connecticut  writer,  who  speaks  of  the  paragraphs  of  on^ 


149 

of  tlic  laws  of  that  state,  makes  this  note  upon  the  word  : 
"  By  jmragraphs  is  intended  sections  or  clauses  " 

Fartit.     Nearly,  almost. 

A  friend  informs  me,  that  this  word  is  thus  used  in 
some  towns  of  the  Middle  States :  "  His  house  is  partly 
opposite,  i.  e.  nearly  opposite  to  mine."  Dr.  >V^itherspoon 
has  taken  notice  of  this  word,  and  gives  the  following  ex- 
ample :  "  It  is  partly  all  gone  ;  it  is  mostly  all  gone.  This 
(he  remarks)  is  an  absurdity  or  barbarism,  as  well  as  a 
vulgarism."  Bruid,  No.  6. 

Passage /or  Passing.  Used  in  speaking  of  laws.  ^x.  *«  Be- 
fore the  question  was  taken  on  the  passage  of  the  hill,"  &c. 
Marsh.  Life  of  Wash.  vol.  v.  p.  344,  et  passim. 

This  use  of  the  w^ord  passage  is  now  very  common,  in 
Congress  and  our  other  legislative  assemblies,  and  has 
been  adopted  by  many  of  our  w  riters.  It  is  v-riticised  by 
the  English  Reviewers  as  an  American  innovation.  See 
the  Annual  Review f  art.  Marshall's  Life  of  Washington. 

To  Peak  or  Peek.     To  peep. 

A  fi'iend  informs  mc,  that  this  word  is  very  common  in 
the  towns  on  the  banks  of  the  Connecticut  j  but  it  is  only 
used  in  conversation.  The  participle  ^eafewt^  also,  he  in- 
forms me,  is  used  there  for  sneaking^  as  it  is  in  Shaks  eare : 
See  Johnson^s  Diet.  Mr.  Webster  has  observed,  that  jjeck  is 
«  used  corruptedly  for  peep."  See  his  Dissert,  on  the  Eng. 
Lang.  p.  387. 

PECUiiiARs.  "  All  peculiars^  viz.  such  places  as  are  not  yet 
layd  within  the  bounds  of  any  town."  Massachusetts  Colo- 
ny Laws;  tit.  Charges  Publick;  p.  15. edit.  1660. 

This  word  is  now  so  wholly  obsolete  with  us,  that  I 
have  heard  even  our  lawyers  ask  the  meaning  of  it. 

To  Peek.     See  To  Peak. 

Pending. 

In  the  review  of  Marshall's  Life  of  Washington  in  th« 


i  50 

.Mnvflity  Jhillioiogy  (vol.  V.  p.  438.)  tliis  word  is  criticised 
usohsolcfc.  But  it  is  certainly  used  by  tlic  English  in  le- 
^nl  and  pnrlimneiitary  language ;  and  it  is,  accordingly, 
to  be  found  in  the  Reviews  of  works  on  those  subjects : 
*»  At  the  period  wlirn  the  American  treaty  with  this  coun- 
try was  pending,"  he.  liiif.  Crit.  vol.  vi.  p.  59*. 
I'erk.  *<  Lively,  brisk,  holding  up  the  head."  Wehst. 
Did. 

This  word  is  in  Johnson,,  but  is  marked  <*  obsolete^' 
It  is,  however,  provincial  at  this  day,  in  Ejigland : 
"  Perk ;  lively."  Specimens  of  the  Essex  Dialect,  in 
Ihc  Monthly  Mtgazinc,  for  July  1814,  p.  498.  It  is  used 
in  the  interior  of  ^Xew  England  ;  and  is  commonly  pro- 
nounced pearkf  (the  ea  as  in  pear  J  just  as  it  is  written 
in  the  passage  which  Dr,  Johnson  quotes  from  Spencer, 
Pieces.    Papers. 

The  Edinburgh  Revieyvers,  in  their  account  of  the 
American  Mineralogical  Journal,  (published  at  N.  York 
in  1810,  by  A.  Bruce)  make  the  following  remarks  upon 
an  article  in  tliat  work  wiittrn  by  Dr.  Mitchell:  "The 
two  first  words  of  it  bespeak  a  foreign  idiom,  character- 
izing, as  might  be  expected,  tlie  Anglo  American  lan- 
guage in  which  this  Journal  is  written.  The  author 
begins  by  saying,  *  These  pieces  were  collected  during  a 
tour  in  the  summer  of  1809 ;'  and  soon  afterwards  de- 
scribing a  specimen  of  black  flint,  he  adds,  *  such  as 
abounds  in  the  Seneca  pmincs.'  "  Edinb.  Rev.  JVor.  1810, 
p.  116. 

This  Gallicism  is  not  in  common  use  here ;  but  it 
has  been  adopted  by  some  American,  as  it  also  appears 
to  have  been  by  some  English  writers  :  «  I  received  this 

moment  your  letter with  the  enclosed  jneces  relative  to 

the  present  dispute  between  the  king  and  the  parliament." 
Chesierjield-s  Letters,  No.  344.     An  English  friend  makes 


the  following  remarks  on  this  word  :  ••'  We  say  in  En«>'- 
lish,  sucii  a  piece  was  inserted  in  a  newspaper  or  maga- 
zine. B  ut  where  an  article  is  independeiitly  written  and  is 
of  some  length,  even  though  it  be  insL-rted  in  a  miscellane- 
ous work  (as  the  Philosophical  Transactions)  we  call  it 
a  paper.^*  A. 

Pine-barkens.  Used  in  the  Soutliern  States.  «  The  road 
which  I  had  to  travel  lay  through  a  di-eary  and  exten- 
sive forest  of  pine  trees,  or,  as  it  is  termed  by  the  Caro- 
linians, a  pineban-en,  where  a  habitation  is  seldom  seen, 
except  at  intervals  of  ten  or  twelve  miles."  Lamherfs 
Travels,  vol.  ii.  p.  226. 

PxEAD  or  Pled /or  Pleaded. 

This  is  in  constant  use,  in  the  colloqnial  language  of 
the  Bar  in  New  England.  But  the  verb  to  plead  is  a 
regular  verb  ;  and  in  England  the  regular  form  pleaded 
seems  to  have  been  invariably  used  for  centuries.  *'  He 
pleaded  still  not  guilty."  Shakspeare^  as  cited  by  Br. 
Johnson.  It  is  also  used  in  the  Bible :  "  Thei'e  I  will 
plead  with  you,  face  to  fa<"e,  like  as  I  pleaded  with  your 
fathers  in  the  wilderness."  Ezek.  xx.  35,  36  ;  and  in 
various  other  places.  "  Foi-merly  the  general  issue  was 
seldom  p/mded — "  "  Everj  defence  which  cannot  be  thus 
specially  j}leaded.'*  3  Blackst.  Com.  305. 

This  word  is  notice  d  as  an  »<  inaccuracy"  in  the 
Monthly  Anthology,  for  Feb.  1808,  p.  109  ;  and  as  an 
Americanism  in  the  Fort  Folio,  for  Oct.  1S09.  But  it 
has  also  been  used  by  some  writers  in  Great  Britain. 
The  British  Critic  thus  notices  it  in  a  review  of  Annals  of 
Great  Britain,  publislicd  iji  1807  :  *»  The  author  occa- 
sionally usi'S  pled  for  p/crtie^/,  as  the  past  tense  of  the 
verb  to  plead;  but  we  are  not  aware  that  there  is  such  a 
word  as  pled  in  the  English  language."  B.  C.  vol.xxxvi. 
p.  343. 


Plenty  for  I'lentiful. 

Tills  is  very  common  here,  in  the  language  of  conver- 
sation ;  and  is  sometimes  to  be  met  witli  in  writing.  Dr. 
Franklin  uses  it  in  liis  Directions  to  make  money  plenty 
in  crery  man's  pocket ;  anil  tlie  English  reviewers  in 
noticing  that  work,  ])ut  the  word  plenty  in  Italics.  See 
Brit,  Crit.  vol.  iii.  p.  285.  Dr.  Johnson  says — "  It  is 
used,  I  tliink  barbarously,  for  plentiful.'^  And  Ash  calls 
it  "rather  colloquial."  Dr.  Cainpb''ll  condemns  it  in 
the  strongest  terms  :  He  says — Plenty  for  plentiful  "  ap- 
pears to  me  so  gross  a  vulgarism,  that  I  should  not  have 
thought  it  worthy  a  place  here,  if  I  had  not  sometimes 
found  it  in  works  of  considerable  mei'it."  Philos.  of  Rhet, 
B.  ii.  eh.  3.  sect.  3.  p.  254;  Amer,  edit. 

Poke.     A  bag. 

I  have  heard  tliis  old  word  used  by  some  persons  here 
in  the  compound  term  cream-poke  ;  that  is,  a  small  bag, 
through  which  cream  is  strained.  In  England,  I  j)resume, 
it  is  never  used,  except  in  the  old  proverb,  which  is  fa- 
miliar to  every  body  in  both  countries 

Pond.  "  The  soil  and  suiface  consists  in  a  continuity  of 
hills  or  downs  of  sandy  loam  with  valleys  and  hollows 
that  contain  small  streams,  and  lakes  or  pools,  in  New 
England  always  denominated  ponds,^^  Kendal's  Trav, 
vol.  ii.  p  39. 

PooELT.  adj.  "  Rather  indisposed,  indiJQferent,  ill."  Webst. 
Diet. 

None  of  the  English  lexicographers,  I  believe,  except 
^s/t,  mention  poorly  in  this  sense ;  and  he  says  it  is  "  a 
colloquial  word ;"  wliich  is  also  the  case  in  this  country. 
But  a  later  English  work  gives  it  as  a  mor^  provincial  word 
in  England,  peculiar  to  the  JS^orth.  "  Poorly,  indifferent 
in  health.  Feri/ ^worii/,  very  indifferent.  JVorth,"  Fegge's 
Supp.  to  Grose^s  Frov*  Gloss.     London,  1814. 


153 

Popular.     Used  frequently  by  the  illiterate  for  populom. 
Populated  for  Peopled.     "  A  thinly  popidated  country." 

Very  raiely  used. 
Portage. 

A  carrying  place  by  the  banks  of  rivers,  round  water- 
falls or  I'apidSf  &c.  In  this  sense  the  word  is  very  com- 
mon, and  has  been  thought  to  be  necessary,  in  this  coun- 
try. In  the  following  example  it  is  used  in  a  manner 
not  common  with  American  writers  :  "  These  reinforce- 
ments could  not  arrive  with  the  necessary  quantity  of 
provisions  and  other  supplies,  because  the  river  La  Bceuf 
....did  not  admit  of  their  portage  down  it.'*  Marsh.  Life 
of  Wash.  vol.  ii.  p.  16. 
Practitional. 

I  have  once  met  with  this  extraordinary  word  in  the 
character  of  a  deceased  lawyer :  "  In  his  practitional  ca- 
reer he  was,"  &c.     The  word  is  entirely  new. 
Prairie. 

A  French  term,  which  has  been  much  used  of  late  by 
American  writers,  to  designate  those  remarkable  mead- 
ows or  plains,  which  are  described  by  travellers  in  Loui- 
siana. Mr.  Webster  writes  it  prairy^  and  defines  it  "  a 
natural  meadow,  or  a  plain  naturally  destitute  of  trees." 
None  of  our  writers,  that  I  recollect,  have  adopted  this 
orthography.  The  word  prairie  is  censured  by  the  Ed- 
inburgh reviewers,  as  a  Gallicism.  See  their  remarks  on 
the  word  Pieces. 
Prayerful  ;  Prayerfully.  Ex,  In  a  prayerful  manner ; 
may  we  be  prayerfdly  disposed. 

Tliis  is  used  by  some  of  our  clergy  ;  but  it  is  not  very 

common.     It  is  not  in  any  of  the  dictionaries. 

Prayerless.     "  Not  praying,  not  using  prayers."     JFebst. 

Diet.     I  have  never  known  this  word  to  be  used  here  j 

but  a  friend  informs  me,  that  he  has  often  heard  it  in  the 

20 


154 

prayei"9  of  countiT  clergymen,  in  this  plivase — '  May 
there  be  no  prayctiess  families  in  this  place.'  The  word 
is  not  in  the  dictionaries.  Jniitfidd  uses  this,  and 
Christless,  and  many  other  compounds  of  the  same  form. 

To  Tredicate.  To  found.  '*  Being  predicated  on  no  pre- 
vious proceedings  of  the  legislature."  *Marsh.  Life  of 
IVash.  vol.  V.  p.  -iOS.  "  It  ought  surely  to  he  predicated 
upon  a  full  and  imi)artial  consideration  of  the  whole  sub- 
ject."    Letter  of  the  Hon.  J.  Q.  AdamSf  p.  5. 

Upon  this  last  passage  tlie  Editor  of  the  New  York 
Evening  Post  remarks  :  "  The  predicate  is  that  wliich  is 
atlirmed  of  the  subject  of  a  proposition  j  it  is  here  used 
as  synonymous  with  founded." 

This  use  of  the  verb  predicate  is  very  common  with 
American  writers,  and  in  the  debates  of  our  legislative 
assemblies.     <'  It  is  (says  a  friend)  purely  American."  J. 

Presidential.  <•  Pertaining  to  a  President."  Webst.  This 
is  mentioned  by  a  writer  in  the  Monthly  Antliology  as 
"one  of  the  barbarisms  in  common  use"  among  us.  En^ 
glish  writers  have  sometimes  used  it,  but  only  in  speak- 
ing of  American  aftairs  :  « The  friends  of  Washington 
had  determined  to  support  Mr.  Adams  as  candidate  for 
the  presidential  chair,"  &c.  ({uarterhj  Rev.  vol.  x.  p.  497  5 
for  Jan.  1814. 

Profanity. 

This  word  is  in  common  use  here  ;  more  particularly 
(as  a  clerical  friend  once  observed  to  me)  with  our  clergy. 
It  is  not  in  the  dictionaries,  and  I  do  not  recollect  ever 
meeting  with  it  in  English  authors.  The  Scottish  writers, 
however,  employ  it ;  as  v.iil  be  seen  by  the  fidlowing  ex- 
amples, ^^hi(•h  a  friend  has  given  me  :  «  The  man  who  can 
pass  days  in  listening  to  folly  and  profanity,"  &c.  McGiWs 
Coiiside  rat  inns  addressed  to  a  young  clergyman  ;  in  «  Tracts 
on  the  Pastoral  Office,"  p.  2*5. "  The  preacJiing  of  the  gos- 


155 

pel  administers  a  standing  reproof  to  every  species  of 
profauUij  and  criminality."  Institutes  of  Theology,  by  Dr. 
Hill,  Principal  of  St.  Mary's  College,  in  the  University  of 
St.  Andrexvs, 

English  writers  use  the  word  profanemss  :  "  A  lilliputian 
history  of  England,  in  a  parody  of  sci  iptui'e,  containing 
some  inaccuracy,  more  drollery,  and  much  more  profane- 
ncss."  Brit.  Grit.  vol.  ix,  p.  330.  "  Warburton,  how- 
ever, far  surpasses  his  brother  in  brutality  of  invective ; 
not  to  mention  tlie  peculiar  demerit  of  using  the  most 
awful  language  of  scripture  with  an  irreveren'^e,  ap- 
proaching to  profaneness.^^  (^uart.  Rev.  vol.  vii.  p.  407. 
<'  And  (if  it  were  not  a  sort  of  profanene:,s  to  talk  of  the 
use  as  affecting  tlie  title  to  property)  he  makes  a  good 
use  of  his  revenues."  Biirke''s  Reflections,  p.  131,  vol. 
iii,  of  his  Works,  Amer.  edit.  The  word  profaneness  was 
also  in  use  here,  I  ihiniv,  till  about  the  period  of  the  Rev- 
olution. 

Professor  of  Religion.     See  Member  of  the  Church. 

To  Progress. 

This  obsolete  English  word,  which  (as  I  have  been 
informed)  was  never  heard  among  us  before  the  Revolu- 
tion, has  had  an  extraordinary  currency  for  the  last 
twenty  or  tliirty  years,  notwithstanding  it  has  been  con- 
demned by  the  English,  and  by  the  best  American  wri- 
ters. The  use  of  it  in  Judge  MarshaWs  Life  of  Washing- 
ion  has  been  censured  by  some  of  our  own  critics  (sec 
Monthly  Anthology  for  August  1808)  ;  and  a  well  known 
English  Review,  in  noticing  the  same  work,  thus  speaks 
of  this  verb:  «\Ve  object  to  the  continual  use  of  the 
word  jn-ogress  as  a  verb  ;  we  are  aware  that  authorities 
may  be  found  for  it  in  Englisli  writers,  but  such  use  had 
fortunately  become  obsolete  till  the  American  Revolulion 
revived  it."  Annual  Rev.  vol.  vii.  p.  241.     It  is  true  that 


156 

Hiwie  authorities  may  be  found  for  it  in  English  writers, 
and  it  is  accord iiit^ly  in  Johnson*s  and  other  dictionaries  j 
hwi  Jolnisdn  has  noted  it  as  **  not  nscd.'"  It  seems  also, 
thiit  the  accent  was  formerly  placed  on  the  first  syllable, 
and  not  (as  we  pronounce  it)  on  the  lust: 

"  Let  me  wipe  ofTtliis  liononrablc  dew, 
Tliut  silvcrly  dolh  progrcsa  on  tliy  cheeks" 

Dr.  Franklin  condemned  the  word  many  years  ago.  Sec 
At)/c  »)n  the  word  Improve. 

Proven /or  Provkd. 

This  is  often  heard  in  the  debates  of  Congress,  and 
is  sometimes  used  by  writers  in  the  Southern  States;  but 
it  is  unknown  in  JVew  England.  "  There  is  (says  an 
Englisli  fi'iend)  much  aflfectation  in  the  use  of  the  words 
jjroven  and  sfncken  among  cej'tain  American  writers  and 
speakers.  To  labour,  as  some  do,  to  raise  old  words 
from  the  dead,  is  not  only  not  tanti;  but  it  shews,  that 
the  persons  who  use  these  exertions  do  not  consider,  that 
if  tliey  are  in  any  degree  proper,  they  ought  to  be  carried 
to  a  much  greater  extent  than  the  parties  seem  to  be 
aware  of."  Jl, 

Provincialism. 

This  has  been  censured  by  some  American  writers  as 
an  unauthorized  word.  But  it  is  in  common  use  in  En- 
gland, though  it  is  not  to  be  found  in  the  dictionaries. 
The  English  reviewers  constantly  use  it. 

Proxies. 

This  word  is  thus  noticed  by  Mr.  Kendal,  in  his  Travels, 
vf)l.  i.  p.  32 — "The  written  votes  or  ballots,  wliich 
througli  a  mistake,  or  else  abuse  of  terms,  the  statutes 
occasionally  call  proxies,**  This  use  of  the  term  proxies 
is  not  known,  I  believe,  in  any  of  tlie  States,  except  Rhode 
Island,  and  Connecticut.  It  is  also  used  sometimes 
as  equivalent   to  election,  or  election-day.     The  follow- 


157 

in,£j  instances  are  from  a  Connecticut  newspaper :  «<  Re- 
publicans of  Connecticut ;  previous  to  everv  jJroxies  you 
have  been  assaulted  on  every  side" — «  On  the  approaching 
proxies  wc  ask  you  to  attend  universalfy,"  &c.  The 
abbreviation  Frox  is  also  used  in  BJwde  Island,  for  the 
Ticket;  (as  it  is  called  elsewhere)  that  is,  theLisf  of  Can- 
didates at  Elections. 

Publishment. 

An  official  notification,  made  by  the  clerks  of  towns 
in  New  England,  of  an  intended  marriage.  The  term 
is  in  common  use  in  most  parts  of  New  England,  and  is 
also  adopted  in  some  of  our  laws.  «  Any  persons  de- 
siring to  be  joined  in  marriage  shall  have  such  their  in- 
tentions puhlished....or  posted  up  by  the  clerk  of  such 
town  ;  and  a  certificate  of  such  publishmcnt....shR]\  be 
produced  as  aforesaid  previous  to  tlieir  marriage." 
Massachnsetis  Stat.  June  22,  1786.  In  England  tliey  use 
the  expression  pihUcation  of  the  banns :  « Marriage 
must  be  preceded  by  publication  of  the  banns."  JRees*s 
Cycloj).  v.  Marriage. 

Punk.     Rotten  wood,  touchwood,  spunk. 

A  friend  has  mentioned  this  to  me  as  one  of  our  cor- 
ruptions of  the  English  language.  The  word  is  in  com- 
mon use  in  many,  if  not  all  parts  of  New  England  ;  but 
it  is  not  to  he  found  in  this  sense  in  the  dictionaries. 
^9shf  however,  in  the  Supplement  to  Ids  dictionary,  has 
the  following  signification  of  it:  " — A  kind  of  //tH»MS, 
often  used  for  tinder  ;"  hut  Bailey  gives  this  meaning  t» 
the  word  spmk.     Mr.  Webster  has  spunk. 

To  Quackle.     To  almost  choke,  or  suffocate. 

A  low,  colloquial  word,  which  is  sometimes  heard  in 
New  England.  Tn  Englandf  it  is  provincial:  "To 
quackle,  to  suffocate."  Essex  THalectf  in  the  Jfonthhj 
Magazine,  vol.  xxxviii.  p.  498  ,♦  for  July  181  i-.    «  quack- 


158 

hd,  almost  choked  or  suffocated.     Norfolk  and  Suffolk." 
right's  Stijiplcm.  to  Grose. 

<^i  ARREL.     A  pane  of  glass. 

This  old  word  is  still  sometimes  heard  in  New  Eng- 
land j  but  only  among  the  illiterate.  It  is  thus  noticed 
in  the  Monthly  Magazine  (vol.  xxxviii.  p.  332)  as  an 
English  provincialism :  "  Quarrel,  s.  A  square  of  window 
glass  ;  quarrc  [rather  quarreau,  now  written  carremi] 
French." 

Rackets.  fUsed  in  the  plural.)  A  common  name  in  some 
parts  of  New  England,  for  what  in  other  parts  are  called 
snow-shoes.  They  have  this  name,  without  doubt,  from 
tlieir  resemblance  to  the  rackets  used  in  playing  tennis. 

Rafty.     Rancid  ;  damp  and  musty. 

I  have  heard  this  word  used  by  old  people  in  New 
England.  It  is  provincial  in  England:  ^' Rafty  ;  damp 
and  musty,  as  corn  or  hay  in  a  wet  season."  Marshall's 
Rural  Econ.  of  JVorfolk, 

To  Raise. 

In  New  England  the  farmers  say,  to  raise  corn, 
wheat,  &c. ;  but  in  P^ngland,  at  the  present  day,  the  far- 
mers and  even  the  agricultural  writers  say,  to  grow  corn 
kc.  and  this  expression  is  now  getting  into  use  here. 
This  verb,  indeed,  and  its  noun  growers  (though,  accord- 
ing to  Rees's  Cyclopadiai  the  latter  is  a  term  ^^provin- 
cially  applied  to  farmers")  seem  to  be  a  part  of  the  tech- 
nical language  of  agriculturists.  Dr.  Johnson  calls  ^row 
a  verb  neuter  ;  and  his  twenty-first  signification  of  to  raise 
is, «« to  procure  to  be  bred  or  propagated."  One  of  his 
examples  is,  «  he  raised  wheat  where  none  grew  befoie." 
^sA,  whose  dictionary  is  the  only  one  in  which  I  find  to 
grow  as  a  verb  active^  says,  it  "  is  a  colloquial  word  ;'* 
but,  at  the  present  day,  it  is  certainly  used  by  the  agri- 
cultural writers  of  England.     Dr.  Witherspoon,  many 


159 

years  ago,  ranked  this  use  of  to  grow  among  « the  new- 
est corruptions  of  the  language,  and  much  more  common 
in  England  than  America  5"  and  he  cites  Cook*s  first  voy' 
age,  by  Hawkesworth,  where  (he  adds)  "  some  others  of 
the  same  kind  are  to  he  found."  Druids  No.  6.  A  learned 
friend  observes — « The  licences  in  language,  common 
among  the  Englisli  agriculturists,  seem  to  be  partly  ow- 
ing to  the  proprietor  and  the  literary  man  giving  ear  to 
the  plirases  of  agents,  farmers  and  labourers  ;  and  then 
transferring  them  to  books  :  Whence  we  read  of  to  grow 
for  to  cause  to  grow.  In  addition  to  the  corruptions  for- 
ced upon  the  mind  of  the  English  agricultural  WTiters  by 
their  familiarity  with  practical  agriculturists,  these  fre- 
quently adopt  the  style  of  journals  ;  and  thougli  journals 
may  easily  be  made  (with  care)  to  assume  a  correct  form, 
yet  whet!  er  framed  by  agriculturists,  medical  writers,  or 
nautical  men,  they  too  often  appear  in  a  form  which  is 
needlessly  uncouth."  A.  See  also  the  remark  of  the 
same  friend,  on  the  style  of  the  English  agricultural  wri- 
ters under  the  word  0?fTO. 

2.  In  some  of  the  Southern  States  they  also  use  the 
Terb  to  raise  in  tliis  manner  :  I  was  raised,  i.  e.  brought 
up,  in  such  a  town.  It  is  never  thus  used  in  the  JVorthem 
States. 

3.  To  raise  (as  an  English  friend  first  remarked  to 
me)  is  also  very  much  used  in  some  of  the  Southern  States, 
instead  of  to  rise.  He  observes,  in  a  letter  from  Phila- 
del2}hia — "  Of  the  gentlemen  who  are  my  frllow  boarders 
at  least  one  half  use  the  vei-b  raise  as  a  neuter ;  as  w« 
in  New  England  do  the  verb  fall  as  an  active.  Ex.  To- 
bacco and  cotton  will  raise."  lie  has  also  referred  me 
to  the  following  passage  of  a  well  known  work,  the  author 
of  which  learned  his  English  cliiefly  among  the  people  of 
Peninsylvania :   "Although  the  deferred  stock  is  every 


160 

day  niishi^  In  value,"  c\c.     Sketches  of  tJie  Finances  of 
the  U.  States,  bij  dlbert  Gallatin  Esq.  p.  12J,  note  fB.J 

i.  This  verb  is  also  iiiiu  h  used  in  our  legislative  as- 
semblies in  the  following  niiinner :  A  member  moves, 
that  a  f  omniittee  should  be  raised  to  take  any  particular 
subject  into  consideration ;  and  a  committee  is  accord- 
ingly raised.  The  English  say,  in  parliamentary  lan- 
guage, a  committee  was  formed  or  appointed :  "  Earl 
Liverpool  moved  that  a  committee  of  twenty-one  Peers 
be  appointed  by  ballot  to  examine  the  Physicians  on  the 
state  of  His  Majesty's  health,"  &c.  Debates  in  Parlia- 
mentf  Jan.  9,  1812.  "The  usual  committees  were  form- 
ed."    Report  of  Debates,  in  the  London  nexcspapers. 

R.ypiDS.  CUsed  in  the  plural. J  "  A  i)art  of  a  river  where 
tlie  water  is  rapid  over  a  moderate  descent."  Webst.  Diet. 
The  following'  description  of  the  rapids  of  the  river 
Ohio  will  further  explain  tiie  term  :  «  They  are  occasion- 
ed by  a  ledge  of  rocks  that  stretch  across  the  bed  of  the 
river,  from  one  side  to  the  other,  in  some  places  projec- 
ting so  much  that  they  are  visible  when  the  water  is  not 
high,  and  in  most  places  when  the  water  is  extremely 
low.  The  fall  is  not  more  than  between  four  and  five 
feet  in  the  distance  of  a  mile,"  kc.  Imlay's  Topograph. 
JDescript.  of  the  TFestern  Terntory  of  the  U.  States,  p.  51, 
2d  edit. 

Raw  Salad.  Dr  Witherspoon  makes  the  following  remarks 
on  this  expression  :  "  Raw  salad  is  used  in  the  South  for 
salad.  N.  B.  There  is  no  salad  boiled."  Druid,  No.  7. 
Hence,  as  a  correspondent  observes,  Johnson  defines  a 
salad — "  food  of  raw  herbs."  I  do  not  know  whether 
this  expression  is  common  in  the  Southern  States  at  the 
present  day,  or  not.  In  JN'eiy  England  I  have  ne^'cr 
heard  it. 


161 

To  Realize. 

«  The  clergy  of  New  England  (says  a  friend)  employ 
this  word,  when  a  thing  is  spoken  of  as  made  certain,  or 
substantial ;  a  sense  not  frequent  among  the  modern 
English."  Jl,  A  learned  clerical  friend  has  reminded  me, 
tliat  it  is  used  in  this  manner  by  Jilison,  the  well  known 
Scottish  author.  ' 

Reciprocity. 

This  word  has  been  remarked  upon,  by  some  of  our 
writers,  as  "hardly  admissible.'*  See  ^Month.  Anihol.for 
1S06,  p.  102.  It  is  not  noticed  by  any  of  the  lexicogra- 
phers except  Walker  and  Mason;  the  latter  of  whom  cites 
a  law  authority  in  support  of  it :  "  Any  degree  of  reci- 
procity will  prevent  the  pact  from  being  nude.  Blackstonc.** 
But  it  is  in  general  use  with  other  English  wi'iters ;  per- 
haps, however,  it  is  more  commoidy  employed  by  them  in 
political  and  other  discussions,  which  admit  of  a  language 
approaching  to  the  legal  style.  It  is  often  used  by  them 
in  diplomatic  papers.  Walker  has  inserted  it  in  his  dic- 
tionary, without  informing  the  reader  that  it  is  a  new 
word,  as  he  usually  does  in  such  cases. 
To  Reckoa".  Used  in  some  of  the  Southern  States,  as  guess 
is  in  the  Northern.  Ex.  I  reckon  he  will,  kc.  It  seems 
to  be  provincial  in  England :  "  Reckon,  to  imagine,  to 
suppose  :  I  reckon  I  shall.  JVorf/i."  Pegge''s  Supplem.  to 
Grose. 
Redemptioner.  "  One  who  redeems  himself  by  services,  or 
whose  services  are  sold  to  pay  certain  expenses."  Wchst. 
Diet. 

This  name  is  given,  in  the  Southern  States,  to  those 
Germans,  Irish,  and  other  Euro]);'ans,  who  emigrate  from 
their  own  country  to  the  United  States,  and  sell  their  ser- 
vices for  a  term  of  time  to  pay  their  passage- money  and 
other  expenses. 

•2r 


Refekexce. 

The  frequent  use  of  this  word  in  the  follo'wing  man- 
ner is  noticed,  by  a  late  Ena;lish  traveller,  among  the 
"  quaint  expressions,"  peculiar  to  Americans  :  "  Has  tjjc 
einhargo  act  progressed  in  Congress  ?  Which  have  you 
reference  to  ?"  Lambert's  Travels^  vol.  ii.  p.  506.  An  En- 
glish friend,  however,  says — "  If  Mr.  Lambert  considers 
this  use  of  the  word  reference  as  confined  to  America,  he 
is  in  an  error.  It  is  a  word  in  well  established  use  in 
England."  J. 

Releasemext. 

The  use  of  this  word  in  Bancrofts  Life  of  fFasJiingfon 
is  censured  by  some  of  the  English  reviewers.  See  Brit- 
ish  Cntic,  vol.  xxxv.  p.  182.  It  is  very  rarely  used  by 
American  writers.  I  do  not  find  it  in  any  of  the  English 
dictionaries  except  Baileifs  and  Jsh*s  ;  and  it  is  unques- 
tionably obsolete.  I  never  met  with  it  in  any  work  print- 
ed in  England,  except  once  accidentally  in  the  Index  to 
SmoUet's  Hislorif  of  England  f  London  edition  of  1796 J  in 
this  article  :  «<  Murray  Hon.  Alexander — procession  at 
his  rekasement  from  Newgate." 

Relishes.     "  About  eight  or  nine  in  the  morning  they  break- 
fast on  tea  and  coffee,  attended  always  with  what  they  call 
relishes,  such  as  salt-fish,  beef-steaks,  sausages,  broiled* 
fowls,  ham,  bacon,  &c.    FriesVs  Tra-eels  in  the  U.  States  of 
America. 

To  Reloax.     "  To  lend  a  second  time."    Webst.  Bicf.    See 
To  Loan. 

To  Reluct. 

TIjc  use  of  this  verb  in  Bancroft- s  Life  of  fFashington 
is  censured  by  a  reviewer  in  tiie  Monthly  Anthology,  vol. 
iv.  p.  666.  Most  of  the  dictionaries  have  it  ;  but  (as  a 
friend  observes)  it  is  never  used  "  by  good  English  wri- 
ters." A.  I  may  add,  that  it  does  not  frequently  occur  in 
tlie  writings  of  Americans. 


163 

Removability.  «  The  capacity  of  being  removed  or  dis- 
placed." M^ebst.  Diet. 

See  the  remarks  on  the  word  Irrepealability. 

Remove.  <•'  At  an  infinite  remove."  First  Ripe  Fniits ; 
being  a  collection  of  Tracts,  ^r.  by  the  Rev.  John  Mason, 
JVev)  York,  1803. 

Some  of  the  English  reviewers  mention  this  expres- 
sion as  one  of  the  "  occasional  vulgarisms,  possibly  An- 
glo-Americanisms/' of  Dr.  Mason's  work.  See  the  Chris- 
tian  Observer,  vol.  ii.  p.  564*.  The  noun  remove  is  not  an 
«  Anglo-Americanism."  It  is  sometimes  used  by  English 
writers  of  celebrity :  "  Such  a  procedure  is  scarcely  a 
remove  short  of  pious  fraud."  For  son*  s  Letters  to  Travis, 
preface,  p.  26. 

Renew  EDLY.     Anew  ;  again. 

This  adverb  is  often  heard  from  our  pulpits.  But 
(as  a  correspondent  observes)  it  is  <•  a  word  destitute  of 
all  authority."  A. 

Requirement. 

American  writers  sometimes  employ  this  term ;  but 
it  is  not  in  general  use.  I  do  not  find  it  in  any  of  the 
English  dictionaries  except  Bailey^s,  folio  edition.  A 
correspondent  says,  "  it  does  not  rank  as  a  good  English 
word."  .a. 

Repetitious.  "The  observation  which  you  have  quoted 
from  the  Abbe  Raynal,  which  has  been  written  off  in  a 
succession  not  much  less  repetitious,  or  protracted,  than 
that  in  which  school-boys  of  former  times  wrote,"  &c. 
Remarks  on  the  Review  of  Inchiquin^s  Ixtters  in  the  quar- 
terly Review  ;  Boston,  1815. 

This  word  is  peculiar  to  the  writer  here  quoted. 

Resemblage. 

Some  of  the  Englisli  reviewers  of  Marshairs  Life  of 
Washimrton  iiave  noticed  this  word  as  an  instance  of  the 


104 

'*  iiicorrot  t  lai)giiagc"  of  tliat  work  ;  the  reviewers  con- 
sideriii.a;  it  as  the  Jmerican  term  for  re-assemhlage.  Sec 
Annual  Review ,  vol.  vii.  p.  2ibl.  But  they  have  in  this, 
and  in  several  other  instances,  heen  misled  by  the  incor- 
rectness of  the  English  editions  of  Judge  Marsliall's  work  : 
In  the  place  referred  to,  the  American  edition  has  n-as- 
semblagc;  Avhich  is  the  substitute  proposed  by  the  review- 
ers. See  Note  on  the  word  Infected. 
Result,  n.  A  teclmical  name  for  the  Decisions  of  Ecclesi- 
astical Councils.  A''ew  England. 
To  Result.  fFrom  the  preceding  noun. J  To  decide  or 
decree,  as  an  Ecclesiastical  Council. 

Some  of  our  writers  on  ecclesiastical  affairs  constant- 
ly use  this  verb,  in  speaking  of  our  own  Councils,  thus  : 
<•  The  Council  resulted  that  the  parties  should  do  certain 
things.-'  A  friciid  has  remindt?d  me  of  the  following  in- 
stance of  its  being  applied  also  to  the  Decrees  of  the  an- 
cient Councils  :  "  According  to  Dr.  Milner,  the  Council 
of  Nice  resulted,  in  opposition  to  the  views  of  Arius,  that 
the  Son  w  as  peculiarly  of  the  Father,"  &c.  Bible  JS'ews, 
by  the  Rev.  JVoah  Worcester ,  p.  176,  2d  edit. 
Retqrtive. 

This  is  noticed  as  "  a  new  word,"  in   an  American 

review  of  Mr.  Barlow's  Columbiad.     See  Month.  Jnthol. 

vol.  vii.  p.  117.     I  presume  no  other  American  author 

ever  used  it.* 

To  Retrospect.     Ex.  «•  To  give  a  correct  idea  of  the  cir- 

*  Mr,  r.arlow  has  used  a  great  number  of  words,  wliich  no  other 
American  writer,  probably,  would  have  ventured  to  employ.  Many  of 
them  have  been  condemned  by  the  Edinburgh  Review  (vol.  xv.  p.  £8)  and 
by  almost  every  one  of  Mr.  Barlow's  own  countrymen.  As  tlie  use  of 
these  words  may,  with  the  strictest  propriety,  be  said  to  be  peculiar  to 
Mr.  B.  and  as  they  will  never,  probably,  be  adopted  by  any  other  writei", 
I  hare  thought  it  unnecessary  to  enumerate  them. 


165 

cumstauces  which  have  gradually  produced  this  convic- 
tion, it  may  be  useful  to  retrospect  to  an  early  period." 
Letter  from  Alex.  Hamilton  concerning  the  public  comlnct 
and  character  of  John  Adams  Esq.  p.  i. 

An  American  reviewer  thus  defends  the  use  of  this  new 
verb  in  the  work  here  cited  :  "  A  celebrated  Letter  pub- 
lished here  last  autumn  contained  some  words  used  as 
verbs,  which  the  English  have  hitherto  used  only  as 
nouns;  such  as  advocate^  retrospect:  But  they  were  ex- 
pressive of  a  circumlocution,  and  are  agreeable  to  the 
ear  ;  and  why  may  they  not  be  deemed  of  as  high  author- 
ity, as  if  originating  with  Mi'.  Pitt  or  Mr.  Erskinc  ?"  .Amer- 
ican Review  and  Literary  Journal,  vol.  i.  p.  220,  note; 
JVfw  York,  1801. 

The  use  of  this  same  verb  to  retrospect  (in  an  active 
sense)  had  been  attempted  in  Great  Britain,  a  few  years  be- 
fore the  date  of  tlie  publication  above  quoted  ;  but  it  receiv- 
ed no  favour.  A  well  known  English  Review  thus  notices 
it,  in  connexion  with  another  new  word  :  "  Expressions 
like  the  following  cannot  be  admitted  as  improvements 
of  our  language — <to  irradicate  selfish  ideas — to  retro- 
spect his  past  conduct.' "  Brit.  Crit.  vol.  vii.  p.  552  ;  re- 
view of  The  Haunted  Cavern,  a  Caledonian  Tale.  liij 
John  Palmer,  jun.  London,  1796. 
To  Revolt.  Ex.  "  The  spirit  of  retreat,  of  devotion,  and 
of  the  heavenly-minded ness,  which  the  gosjjel  enjoins,  re- 
volts those  whose  hopes  and  enjoyments  centre  only  in  the 
world."  Sermons  by  S.  Slanhopc  Smifli,  P-  «•  *' They 
find  doctrines  in  the  Gospel  that  revolt  their  i-eason,"  tVc. 

p.  11. 

This  use  of  the  verb  revolt  is  condenuiod  by  a  review- 
er of  these  Sermons,  in  the  Mw  lark  ..Monthly  Jlat;nzinr 
and  American  Review,  vol  i.  p.  362  ;  for  the  year  iSOO. 
it  has  also  been  digconntcnanccd  in  England  :  >vl»<^i-c  Oi-" 


16G 

in  this  country)  a  few  individuals  liave  adopted  it.  An 
Knt!;lisli  R('vi<'W  thus  notices  it:  "In  p.  34,  occurs  this 
plirase ;  *  however  it  may  at  first  revolt  us ;'  to  revolt 
cannot  properly  be  used  as  an  active  verb.  In  all  good 
writers  it  is  neuter,  or  intransitive."  Ilrit,  Crit.  vol.  i.  p. 
5.>3  ;  ixvieu^  of  Boscaiveii's  Horace. 

River. 

An  observinsj  friend  (who  has  been  particularly  en- 
gaged in  geoi;;riip!iicid  inquiries)  first  remarked  to  me, 
that  in  speaking  of  rivers,  Americans  comm.>nly  put  the 
name  before  the  word  River,  thus :  Connecticut  river, 
Charles  river,  Merrimack  river ;  whereas  the  English 
w  ould  place  the  name  after  it,  and  say,  tlie  river  Charles 
kc.  And  when  English  writers  copy  from  our  geogra- 
phers, they  commonly  make  this  alteration ;  as  will  be 
seen  by  rcforring  to  any  of  tiic  English  Gax.etteers.  There 
are  exceptions,  however,  to  this  practice ;  as,  when  we 
speak  of  some  of  the  largest  rivers.  Wc  say,  for  instance, 
the  river  Mississippi ;  the  river  St.  Lawrence,  &c. 

'JRjocK  for  Stoxe. 

In  JVew  England,  we  often  hear  the  expression  of 
heaving  rocks,  for  throwing  stones. 

To  Roil.  (Commonly  pronounced  Rile.  J  «  To  render  tur- 
bid by  stirring  up  lees ;  to  disturb  the  mind  and  excite 
anger."  Webst.  Diet.  fXew  England. J 

In  the^rsf  of  these  significations,  this  word  is  in 
common  use,  in  the  language  of  conversation  ;  but  in  the 
second  sense  it  is  only  heard  among  the  vulgar.  In  this 
sense  it  is  also  provincial  in  Great  Britain  :  "  Roil  or  royle  ; 
to  perplex,  fatigue.  JVorth."  Grose.  «  To  Rile,  to  vex." 
Essex  Dialect,  in  tlic  Monthly  Magazine,  for  March,  1815, 
p.  125.     It  is  not  in  the  dictionaries. 

RoiiT.    Turbid. 


167 

Romantically. 

This  is  ridiculed,  in  the  Monthly  Mthology  (vol  iii . 
p.  92,)  as  «  an  Iiidianism."  It  is  not  in  use.  I  have, 
in  one  iristani;o,  met  with  the  still  more  extraordinary 
word  romanticiti)'. 

Rugged.     Hardy,  robust.     JVew  England. 

Englishmen  notice  our  use  of  rnggedy  in  tliis  sense, 
as  a  peculiarity  ;  in  expressions  of  this  kind — A  rugged, 
i.  e.  robust  child ;  nigged  health. 

Run.  n.  "  A  small  stream."  fVebst.  Diet.  fMw  England.) 
This  is  somctimr^s  used  in  conversation ;  but  not  iii 
writing.  The  English  dictionaries  do  not  give  this  sense 
of  the  word  :  Most  of  them,  however,  have  Runnel^  which 
Johnson  defines  "  a  rivulet,  a  small  brook ;"  but  Walker 
says  it  is  "  little  used."  It  may  be  added,  that  in  Jtmer- 
icUf  it  is  never  used. 

Rungs,  n.  plural. 

A  very  common  name  in  New  England  for  the  rounds 
or  steps  of  a  ladder.  Grose  mentions  it  as  a  provincial 
word  of  the  JW^/t  of  England ;  and  Ash  also  gives  it  as 
"  a  local  word."  The  braces  or  rounds  of  common  chaii-s 
are  also  vulgarly  called  rungs.  This  has  generally  been 
considered  as  a  mere  corru])tion  o(  rounds ;  and  people 
of  education  use  only  this  latter  word. 

Sabbath.  "  On  Sunday,  or,  as  it  is  here  [in  JVero  England] 
uniformly  denominated,  on  Sabbath,  I  accompanied  an  en- 
tire family  to  church."     KendaVs  Trav.  vol.  i.  p.  115. 

To  Sag.     To  sink,  or  settle. 

An  English  friend  has  pointed  out  the  use  of  tliis  old 
word,  as  one  of  our  peculiarities.  It  is  in  tlie  dictionaries  ; 
but  Sheridan  and  TVaU^'  s.iy  "  it  is  not  in  use."  It  is  used 
here  in  Johnson^s  fust  sigrtification  of  to  swag,  that  is, 
"  to  sink  down  by  its  weight ;"    and  it  has,  I  think,  been 


•lo8 

j^oiiorallv  considoivd  as  a  mere  corruption  of  that  word. 
In  Kii!;laiul  it  is  used,  ^noriwciflZ/?/,  in  speaking  of  the  health 
of  a  person  :  He  begins  to  sag f  i.  e.  to  decline  in  his  health. 
Xorf.  and  Suf['.  Fcgge^s  Supplement  to  Grose. 

Salad.     Sec  Rinv  Salad. 

Salt  Lick.     Sqc  Lick. 

Samp.     "  Maize  broken  coarse,  boiled  and  mixed  with  milk," 
&c.    Wehst.  Did.    An  Indian  word. 

Sappy.  "  Full  of  sap,  jucy,*  young,  simple.*'  TVehst.  Did. 
An  American  reviewer  of  Mr.  Webster's  dictionary 
observes — "  We  never  saw  this  word  but  once  used  in  this 
last  sense."  Monthhj  Anthol.  vol.  vii.  p.  263.  Mr.  Web- 
ster, however,  in  admitting  this  signification  of  the  word, 
has  only  followed  Entick's  dictionary,  of  which  his  own 
is  "  an  enlargement  and  improvement."!  Tlie  same  sig- 
nification of  the  word  is  also  given  in  Perrifs  and  Dyche*$ 
dictionaries  j  but  I  have  not  found  it  in  any  other.  It  is 
imiversally  considered  here  as  a  low  word,  in  this  sense, 
and  is  not  very  often  used  even  in  the  language  of  conversa- 
tion. 

Sat /or  Set.  Ex.  "  I  sat  out  yesterday   morning,  for  I  set 
out." 

This  impropriety  is  not,  as  some  liave  supposed,  peculiar 
to  this  country.  Bishop  Lorvih,  in  commenting  on  the  use 
of  these  two  verbs  in  English  works,  observes,  that  *'  set 
can  be  no  part  of  the  verb  to  sit  ;"  (see  his  Grammar^ 
Irreg.  Verbs')  and  Dr.  WWicrspoondASses  the  example  above 
given,  among  his  "  Vulgarisms  of  England  and  America." 
Druid)  No.  6.  I  do  not,  however,  recollect  seeing  sat  ever 
used  for  set'm  any  English  publications  of  the  present  day  ; 
not  even  in  the  newspapers.  In  Jlmerica  this  error  is  much 
less  common  now  than  it  formerly  was  ',  for  though  it  is 

•  IMr.  Webster''s  orthography. 

I  See  Preface  to  Mr.  Wc])ster's  Dictionary,  p.  xix. 


169 

still  heard  in  conversation,  it  is  not  often  to  be  met  with 
in  writing. 

Sauce. 

A  general  term  among  the  country  people  of  New  Eng- 
land, for  all  the  common  esculent  vegetables.  Hence  tbose 
farmers,  who  supply  tbe  markets  with  vegetables,  are  some- 
times called  by  their  brethren,  smice-marketers.  The 
tenn  sauce  is  sometimes  used  "  more  strangely  (to  adopt  the 
Words  of  an  English  friend)  to  signify  imperlinence.'^  B. 
In  some  parts  of  England  (as  the  same  friend  informs  me) 
the  term  garden-stuff  is  used  as  a  general  name  for  vege- 
tables, and  »Ssh  accordingly  has  that  term  j  the  other  En- 
glish lexicographers  have  garden-ware. 

Scanty. 

This  word  is  in  common  use  in  New  England,  and 
is  to  be  found  in  all  the  dictionaries  ;  but  is  noted  by  Mr. 
Pegge  as  provincial  in  England — "  Scaniy,  short,  in  w^ant 
of  :  This  is  a  scanty  pattern.  We  are  rather  scant  of  it  at 
present.  JVorth."  Pegge^s  Supplem.  to  Grose^s  Prov.  Gloss, 
It  is  used  here  in  conversation  only. 

Scow.  "  A  large  flat-bottomed  boat."  Webst.  Diet 

In  some  parts  of  the  United  States  it  is  called  a  gondo- 
la ('which  see. J  The  word  scow,  says  another  Ameri- 
can writer,  is  properly  an  American  word,  made  from  ne- 
cessity to  signify  a  small  flat-bottomed  boat,  which  is  used 
only  in  America,  and  is  Just  as  good  a  word,  as  the  track 
schuyts  of  the  Dutch.  Port  Folio,  Mw  Seiies,  vol.  vii.  ]). 
328.*  A  friend  remarks,  that "  the  word  Scow  is,  perliaps, 
a  corruption  among  the  Dutch  settlers  in  New  York  for 
Schuyt:'  Jl. 

Sea-bord  or  Sea-board.    "  Towards  tlie  sea."  Baiky. 

*  Mr.  Webster's  definition  agrees  best  with  the  8ca~,vs  or  irondulns  o( 
the  J^orthem  states  ;  which  are  strong-built,  lieavy  boats,  about  ,30  fact  long 
artfi  12  feet  wide. 

22 


170- 

This  nauticil  term  is  often  Iward  in  conversation,  and 
u  somctiinos  used  in  writing.  I  do  not  find  it  in  any  of 
tlie  English  dictionaries  excej)t  Baileifs,  Jlnli's,  and  J^lason^s 
Sitpplfmeiit  to  Johnson  :  and  it  is  doubtless  out  of  use  in 
Kngland,  except  among  sea-faring  people-  There  is  some 
difference  of  opinion  among  the  lexicographers,  as  to  the 
orthographji  of  this  term,  and  what  pari  of  speech  it  is.  Bailey 
writes  the  last  syllable  of  it  uiV/t  an  a.  Sea-board.  Jsh  co- 
pies Failej's  orthography,  as  well  as  his  definition,  and 
calls  it  an  adverb.  Mason  writes  it  without  the  «,  Sea-6orrf, 
and  calls  it  an  adjective  :  His  authority  is  Spencer  ;  who, 
however,  according  to  Home  Tookc,  is  one  of"  the  worst 
possible  authorities  for  English  words  :" — 
**  Sea-bokd.  adj.     Bordering  on  the  sea. 

There  shall  a  lion  from  the  sea-bord  wood 
Of  Neustria  come  roring'. 

Si>.  F.  Q.  B.  III.  c.  iii.  st.  47. 

The  watry  South-wincle  from  the  seabord  coste 
Up-blowing  doth  disperse  the  vapour  loste. 

lb.  c.  iv.  St.  13." 

Mr.  Webster  has  it  as  an  adjective  (adopting  Mason's  defini- 
tion,} and  also  as  a  noun,  w  hich  he  defines — *'  the  shore  or 
edge  of  tlie  sea."     He  writes  it  Sca-ftorJ. 

The  torm  Land-board  I  have  never  met  with  in  any  in- 
stance but  tiie  following,  either  in  writing  or  conversation  : 
«  The  p.^sition  and  circumstances  of  the  United  States 
leave  them  nothing  to  fear  on  their  land-board,  and  nothing 
to  desire  beyond  their  present  rights.  But  on  their  sea-board 
they  are  opvn  to  injury,"  &c.  Report  of  the  Secretary  of  State 
(Mr.  Jefferson)  on  Commercial  Restrictions  c^'C.  Dec.  16, 
1793. 
.Sectiox. 

Since  the  Frclicli  Revolution  this  word  hashecn  much 
used  here  instead  of  part,  quarter,  &c.  Ex.  "  In  this  section 
of  the  United  States."  It  is    not  thus  used  in  England. 


171 

Sectionary.  (From  the  jn-eceding  noun  J.  Belonging  to  a 
section  of  a  country  ;  local. 

I  liaA'^e  never  met  with  this  iincoramon  word  except  in 
the  following  instance  :  «  This  veneration  arises  not  from 
a  little  and  selfish  spirit  ofsectionarij  attachment."  I  have 
once  also  met  with  sectional,  in  the  same  sense. 

See/oj'  Saw,  (^preterite  of  to  see. J  Alcw  England  "  I  see  him 
yesterday,  or  see  him  last  week  ;  for  I  saw  him.  In  Scot- 
land the  vulgar  say,  I  seed  him  last  week."  JViihersp, 
Lniidf  No.  6. 

See-d  also  (as  Mr.  Pegge  observes)  "  passes  current- 
ly with  the  common  people  of  London,  both  for  our  perfect 
tense  saw,  and  our  participle  passive  sce;i."  Anecdotes  of 
the  English  language^  p.  Ill,  2d  edit.  The  corrupt  form  sec 
(for  saiv)  is  never  used  here  except  in  the  language  of  con- 
versation ;  and  at  the  present  day  is  only  heard  among  the 
illiterate.  An  Englts!;  friend  makes  the  following  remarks 
on  it :  "  See  and  Shew,  in  the  i)reterite,  have  a  very  un- 
pleasant effect  on  the  ears  of  an  Englishman  ;  and  are  each 
utterly  unknown  to  English  authors.  Whoever  has  adopt- 
ed these  corj'uptions  will  do  well  to  abandon  tliem  ;  as 
setting  a  mark  upon  the  persons  using  them  ;  botli  in  the 
Mddle  and  Southern  States  of  this  continent,  and  through- 
out the  whole  of  the  British  Dominions."  A. 

Sekioiis. 

"  Serious,  has  [in  New  England]  the  cant  acceptation 
of  religious."     KendaVs  Trav.  vol.  i.  p.  0i3.  not. 

Sbwent.     See  Suant, 

Shan't.    See  An*L 

SHEw/or  Shewed  or  Showed,.  Ex.  <»  I  sh.civ  it  to  him  yes- 
terday." 

Several  years  ago  this  corrupt  preterite  was  very  com- 
mon in  JVe7*J  England  ;  but  it  is  now  much  less  used  i  Nan  ff)r- 
merly.     Mr.  Pegge,  in  his  ironical  defence  of  kmw'd  for 


4  7S 

knew,  mentions  the  following  sin/^ular  instances  of  irregu" 
lar  pivlorit's  of  vei-bs  ending  in  ew  or  ow :  »'  The  modern 
past  tense,  Ikncrv,  seems  to  have  been  imported  from  the 
North  of  England,  where  the  expressions  arc — <  I  sew, 
(instead  of  1  so7v\l)  my  corn  :' — <  1  mew  (that  is,  I  tiiowW) 
my  hay  :' — and,  '  it  s«fw,'  for  it  snow'd.  To  the  first  and 
second  of  these  words  I  have  been  an  ear  witness  ;  and  as 
to  the  last,  the  writer  of  t!ie  Fragment  at  the  end  of 
Sprott's  Chronicle  (who  probably  was  a  Yorkshireman) 
speaking  of  the  battle  of  Towton,  says — 'and  all  the  seasou 
it  snew.^  Dr.  Wallis,  a  Kentish  man,  who  lived  in  the  last 
century,  admits  knew  to  be  an  imperfect  preterite,  together 
with  sne7V  and  many  others."  Anecdotes  of  the  Eng» 
Lang.  p.  107. 
SuoTE.  A  young  hog.  JKTew  England  ;  and  some  of  the 
Southern  States. 

This  is  a  provincial  word  in  England.  Ray  in  his 
South  and  East  Conntrij  Words,  under  the  word  Sheat  says, 
*'  A  Sheat,  a  young  hog  :  Suffolk.  In  Essex  they  call  it  a 
Shote  ;  both  from  Shoot.^*  We  sometimes  hear  it  applied 
in  America  to  man,  in  this  expression — He  is  a  poor 
shote  f  i.  e.  a  sorry  fellow. 
Sir. 

The  words  Sir  and  Ma^am  are  used  in  some  parts  of 
New  England  for  Father  and  Mother,  and  for  Master  and 
Mistress.  But  they  are  not  so  common  now  as  they  were 
some  ye?rs  ago.  At  our  colleges  also,  the  Bachelors  of 
Ai-ts  have  the  appellation  of  Sir,  as  they  have  in  the  En- 
glish Universities. 
Sirs  (p/.  of  Sir.)  One  or  two  attempts  have  lately  been  made 
in  this  country  to  revive  this  antic^uated  plural  5  but  they 
have  been  unsuccessful. 


173 

To  Slam  ;  used  in  this  expression  :  To  slam  to  a  door  ;  that 
is,  to  shut  it  with  violence. 

The  common  use  of  this  low  word  is  sometimes  noticed 
hy  Englishmen,  who  visit  this  country.  It  is  not,  how- 
ever, peculiar  to  America ;  but  in  England,  (according 
to  Grose  J  it  is  a  iir&vincialism.  I  do  not  find  this  use  of 
it  in  any  of  the  dictionaries,  except  Asli's,  Barclmfs, 
Perry^Sf  and  Entick*s.  Ash,  however,  in  his  Supplement, 
does  not  note  it  as  local,  or  provincial,  hut  only  as  "  a 
colloquial  word."  Mr.  Webster  adopts  Entick's  expla- 
nation of  it.  English  writers  sometimes  put  it  into  the 
mouths  of  low  characters  in  plays  and  novels. 

Slang-whanger. 

The  Monthly  Reviewers,  in  their  account  of  tlic  Eng- 
lish edition  of  the  well  known  American  work,  called 
Salmagundi,  have  the  following  remarks  on  this  term  : 
«  When,  for  instance,  he  [the  editor]  tells  us  that  *  Caucus* 
(an  assembly)  is  the  omlyAmeiican  word  that  he  has  found 
in  these  volumes,  he  evidently  forgets  the  favourite  com- 
pound terra  *  slang-whanger*  (a  newspaper-writer  J,  whicli 
occurs  in  almost  every  page ;  and  indeed  many  more  vul- 
garisms, or  at  best  provincialisms,  wliich  we  forbear  to 
mention,  but  hope  we  may  not  see  repeated  in  similar 
compositions,"  kc.  Month.  Rev.  vol.  Ixv.  p.  429. 

This  word,  which  is  of  very  recent  origin  in  America, 
does  not  denote  merely  a  "  writer  ,•"  It  means  also  a 
noisy  talker,  who  makes  use  of  that  sort  of  political  or 
other  cant,  which  amuses  the  rabble,  and  is  railed  hy  tho 
vidgar  name  of  slang.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  add,  that 
this  term  (as  well  as  slang- whanging  J  is  never  admitted 
into  the  higher  kinds  of  writing  ;  but,  like  other  cant  words, 
is  confined  to  that  familiar  style,  which  is  allowed  only  in 

works  of  humour. 


174 

To  Slat.  I'o  tlirnw  dnwii  witli  violence,  to  dash  against. 
Ex.  *•  He  .s7///  tlu>  book  down  npon  the  floor."  A  low 
'Word;  used  only  in  conversation. 

It  is  an  English  provindahsnh  and  is  not  in  the  dic- 
tionaries. Ray  has  it  among  his  J\''orth  Country  Words 
t!ius  :  "  To  slat  on,  to  Uck  on,  (pour  on)  to  cast  on,  or 
dash  against.  Vox  eveuMTOT."  Mason  adopts  it  from 
Hay,  and  adds  an  authority :  « To  slat,  r.  a.  to  dash. 
Slatted  his  brains  out,  then  soused  him  in  the  briny  sea. 
Mars'on^s  Malcon."  Those  persons,  who  use  it  here,  do 
iK)t  njakc  the  preterite  slatkd,  but  slat.  It  is  not  in  Mr. 
jrebster*s  dictionary. 
Sled.  Sec  Sleigh. 
Sleigh.     A  carriage  for  travelling  on  snow. 

Mr.  Kendal,  after  mentioning  this  word  in  his  Trav- 
els (vol.  iii.  p.  119)  has  this  note  upon  it :  "A  local  name 
for  sledge,  learned  of  the  Dutch  colonists."     Mr.  Web- 
ster writes  it  Sley  ;  and  a  reviewer  of  his  dictionary  has 
the  following  remark  on  it :  "  Sley,  being  a  vehicle  in 
common  use  wit!)   us,   and   unknown  in  England,  has  a 
claim,  wc  confess,  to  a  jdace  in  an  Englisli  dictionary ; 
but  we  insert  it  here  to  remark,  that  we  have  commonly, 
we  believe  always,  seen  it  spelled  sleigh."  Month.  Anthol. 
vol.  V.  p.  429.     In  New  England,  as  a  friend  observes, 
sleigh  is  a  word  applied  to  light  carriages  used  in  winter; 
and  sled  to  carriages  used  at  that  season  for  heavy  arti- 
cles.    " /9fe(/^e  (lie  adds)  is  the   wi)rd-used  by  the  En- 
glish in  both  cases."  A. 
Slice.     A  large  kind  of  kitchen  fire-shovel.  JK'ew  England. 
A  friend  has  refi>rred  me  to  the   Gentleman'' s  Maga- 
zine, vol.  Ixiii.  p.   108i,  where  this  is  said  to  be  used  in 
Bristol,  in  England.     It  is  also  mentioned  by  Mr.  Pegge: 
<<  Slice,  a  fire-!?liovel.    Bristol,     So'*an  Egg-slice."  Snp- 
plem.  to  Grose. 


175 

Slim.     Ordinary,  mean.     Ji  low  word. 

Ray  has  slim,  among  his  J\''orth  Country  TForda  ;  but 
says,  that  ♦•  its  a  word  generally  used  [in  Lincolnsliirc] 
in  the  same  sense  witli  sly:*  Johnson  says,  that  even  in 
its  usual  sense  (i.e,  slender  J  it  is  **  a  cant  word,  as  it 
seems,  and  tlierof  ;re,  not  to  be  used.'*  But  Mismi  is  of 
opinion  th?t  *'  Addison's  using  it  may  be  deemed  a  suffi- 
cient reply  to  the  supposition  of  its  being  cant:'  This, 
however,  (it  need  hardly  be  remarked)  would  depend  upon 
the  circumstances,  under  which  it  was  used  by  Addison. 

SiosH  or  Slush.     CTheJirst  orthography  is  conjormable  to 
the  pronunciation  J.     Jl  low  word. 

This  term,  and  its  derivitive  sloshy,  (or  slushy  J  are 
often  used  by  the  people  of  New  England,  in  speaking  of 
the  state  of  the  roads,  when  they  are  covered  witii  snow 
and  a  thaw  takes  place.  It  is  very  com.mon  to  hear  peo- 
ple say — The  roads  are  sloshy  ;  it  is  very  sloshy  going,  &c. 
None  of  the  Ersglish  dictionaries  have  this  word  ',  but  all 
of  them,  I  believe,  except  Bailey's,  have  the  term  Sludge, 
and  define  it  as  Dr.  Johnson  does—"  Mire,  dirt  mixed 
with  water."  Grose  has  sludge  in  the  same  scMise,  as  a 
provincial  term,  peculiar  to  the  JVor^A  of  England.  (Trov. 
Gloss. J  Marshall  also  has  sludge  among  his  provincial- 
isms of  tlie  Midland  Counties  ;  sluss,  among  those  <»f  .S'or- 
folk,  and  slush  among  tliosc  of  Yorkshire;  and  he  d«-fin(\s 
them  all  nearly  in  the  same  words.  Mr.  ffehster  has 
sludge,  but  not  slush  or  slosh.  « In  some  jmrts  of  New  Eng- 
land (says  a  friend)  the  word  pawsh  is  used  for  ivct  snoxv  ; 
not  only  by  land,  but  wlien  the  sn-jw  is  lloating  on  the 
surface  of  the  water."     I  never  heard  this  term  used. 

Sloshy  or  Slushy.    See  Slosh. 

To  Slump.  "  To  sink  or  fall  into  water  or  mud,  throiigli 
ice  or  other  hard  surfiif:e.  M'no  EngUimL"  irrhl.  DirJ. 
A  colloquial  word. 


176 

<«  This  word  (says  a  reviewer  of  Mr.  Webster's  dic- 
tioiiafv)  is  certainly  unworthy  of  a  place  in  such  a  work." 
.I/oh//////  Jinihol  vol.  vii.  p.  264'.  It  is  an  Eni^lisli  yro- 
vivcialism  :  "  To  slump  ;  to  slip  or  fall  -plum  down  in  any 
wet  or  dirty  place."  Ray's  A'orth  Country  Words.  This 
auther  has  it  also,  with  the  same  explanation,  among  his 
South  and  East  Country  Words  ;  wliere  he  obsei-vi's,  that 
*'  it  seems  to  be  a  word  made  per  onmnatopctian  from  the 
sound."  6rro.se  copies  Ray,  but  considers  the  word  s/itTnp 
as  poculior  to  the  Miih  Country,  and  says,  that  *<  in  the 
SoutJu  flump  is  used  in  that  sense."  Prov,  Gloss.  The 
word  slump  is  in  Bailey's  dictionary  (whore  it  is  marked 
as  a  JVorth  Country  word;,  but  it  is  omitted  by  Johnson 
and  the  other  modern  lexicographers,  except  Ash,  who 
has  it  with  this  remark,  that  it  is  "  a  local  word."  It  is 
mentioned  in  a  late  English  work  among  Specimens  of 
the  Essex  dialect  :  "  Slump — ^to  slip  or  fall  into  the  dirt." 
Month.  Mag.  for  July  1814,  p.  498. 

Slush.     See  Slosh. 

Social. 

"  In  Franklin  Place,  apartments  are  occupied  by  the 
Boston  Social  Library,"  &c.  By  social  is  here  intended 
society  ;  for  by  a  perversion  of  language  the  Society-libra- 
ries, of  which  some  account  has  been  given  in  a  former 
chapter,  are  so  called."  Kendal's  Travels, 

Society. 

Mr.  Kendal  has  the  following  remarks  upon  the  us* 
of  this  word  in  the  State  of  Connecticut :  «  I  have  used 
the  words  society  and  church  [See  Member  of  the  ChurchJ 
in  senses  new  to  most  Englis'i  readers.. .x\  society  is  a  com- 
munity or  corporation  established,  for  the  most  part,  for 
the  twofold  object  of  religious  worsliip  and  common  school- 
ing ;  but  in  some  instances,  for  religious  worsliip  only 
.....  Sometimes  a  town  composes  one  society,  sometimes 


177 

it  includes  two  or  more So  far  the  arrangements  sup- 
pose iiniformity  of  religious  opinions  ;  but  if  these  jar,  then 
the  society f  as  to  church  arrangementSf  has  no  reference  to 
territorial  subdivision.  Two  or  three  societies  may  subsist 
in  t!ie  same  town  ;  and  while  one  neighbour  belongs  to  one, 
the  next  may  belong  to  a  second.  In  like  manner  a  so- 
ciety may  be  composed  of  portions  of  the  inhabitants  of 
two,  three,  or  four  towns,  who,  severally  disagi-ceing  w  ith 
their  immediate  neighbours,  unite  themselves  with  each 
others  but,  however  societies  may  be  constituted,  as  to 
matters  of  religious  worship,  the  second  object,  that  of  cojii- 
mon  schooling,  is  always  of  a  local  nature ;  and  towns, 
therefore,  uniformly  consist  of  one  or  more  societies  con- 
sidered as  distinct."     Kendal's  Trav.  vol.  i.  p.  106. 

In  most  parts  of  New  England,  however,  the  term  society 
is  not  applied  to  those  communities  or  districts,  which 
are  established  for  the  purpose  of  maintaining  schools; 
they  are  commonly  called  school-districts. 

To  Solemnize.     To  make  solemn,  or  serious. 

This  is  frequently  heard  from  our  pulpits.  It  is  not 
explained  in  this  sense  in  the  English  dictionaries,  but 
is  sometimes  to  be  found  in  English  authors.  An  oblig- 
ing friend  has  given  me  the  following  example  :  «  It  seems 
to  have  a  good  effect  in  solemnizing  tlie  mind.s  of  the  hear- 
ers." Letter  of  Lindsey,  quoted  in  Belsham's  Life  oj that 
Writer,  p.  113,  not. 

SoiiiTART.    Rare. 

A  learned  correspondent  observes,  that  solitary  in 
this  sense  is  «  used  by  one  very  respectanie  American 
writer,  in  expressions  of  tills  kind  :  «'  A  solitary  event." 

Some.  Somewhat,  something.  Ex.  He  is  some  better  tlr.n 
he  was;  it  rains  some;  it  snows  some,  &c.  Used  <  hi.lly 
by  the  illiterate.     Mw  England. 

This  is  not  so  much  used  in  t!ie  sen-ports,  as  in  <hc  country 


178 

^o\\l\^^,^)[\\'nv  England.  It  in  Aho  a.  Scutlicism  :  **  Some 
is  very  ol'tcn  used  in  the  JVorth  for  somewhat  or  some- 
thing ;  as,  lie  is  some  better."  Monthly  Mag.  for  May 
ISOO,  p.  o'Zo. 

Spake.  (Preterite  of  speak). 

Tliis  antiquated  woid  is  sometimes  lieard  from  the 
pulpit ;  and  1  have  in  one  or  two  instances  heard  it  in  con- 
versation :  hut  it  is  always  remarked  upon  as  a  singularity. 
This,  and  the  old  preterites  sang^  sprang,  forgat,  &c.  (as 
ISIr.  Webster  justly  observes)  "  are  entirely  obsolete  in 
ordinary  practice,  ^>llether  popular  or  polite  ,•  and  it  seems 
advisable  not  to  attempt  to  revive  them.  In  addition  to 
tliis  reason  for  omitting  tlicm  (he  adds)  there  is  one,  which 
is  not  generally  understood.  The  sound  of  a  in  these  and 
all  other  like  cases  was  originally  the  broad  a  or  aw  ; 
-which  sound  in  tlie  Gothic  and  Saxon,  as  in  modern  Scotch, 
corresponded  nearly  with  o  in  spoke,  swore.  Spoke  is 
therefore  nearer  to  the  original  than  spake,  as  we  now 
pronounce  the  vowel  a  with  its  first  or  long  sound,  as  in 
sake.'*  Fhilosoph.  and  Practical  Grammar,  p.  117.  not. 

Span.    A  pair.     Used  in  this  expression  :  A  sjmn  of  horses. 
JSlew  England. 

I  do  not  find  tliis  use  of  the  word  in  any  of  the  En- 
glish dictionaries,  nor  in  Raifs  or  Grose's  Glossaries.  The 
Germans  say,  a  span  or  Gespann  ochsen  oder  p^erde ;  s. 
team  (not  exclusively  one  pair)  of  oxen  or  horses.  From 
span  we  have,  in  some  parts  of  New  England,  the  terra 
s;xni-shacklc  (or  draft-iron  J  of  a  cart  or  plougli. 

Spell. 

"  A  spell  of  sickness,  a  long  spell,  a  bad  spell.  Per- 
haps this  word  is  borrowed  from  the  sea  dialect."  ffltk^ 
ersp.  iJruid,  Xo.  6  ;  where  the  author  is  speaking  of  the 
«  Vulgarisms  of  Jmerica." 

SriLF..  "  A  peg  or  pin  to  stop  a  hole  in  a  cask."  TFehst.  Diet, 


179 

An  English  friend  observes,  that  this  word  "  is  used  licre 
for  a  spigot ;  and,  a  ulgarly  for  a  pile."  B.  Tiic  diction- 
aries liavc  not  spile  but  spill ;  and  under  the  latter  word, 
Dr.  Johnson  gives  this  example  :  «  Have  near  the  bung- 
hole  a  little  vent-hole,  stopped  with  a  spill,  Mortimer."* 
Speigh  or  Spry.  *•'  Nimble,  brisk,  quick  in  action."  Wehsi. 
Bid.  (Mr.  Wehster  adopts  the  latter  ortliograpluj.J  Aleio 
England. 

This  word  is  very  common  in  conversation.  A  reviewer 
of  Mr.  "Webster's  dictionary  observes,  that  it  *<  is  a  word 
which  has  neither  use  nor  dignity."  Month.  Jnthol.  vol. 
vli.  p.  26*. 

I  do  not  find  it  in  any  of  the  Englisli  dictionaries ;  but  a 
friend  informs  me,  that  it  is  used  "  by  the  common  peo])k"; 
in  Somersetshire"  in  England;  and  Grose  has  a  word  whic  h 
possibly  is  the  same,  tbougli  with  a  different  orthogra- 
])hy  :  "  Sproil ;  lively,  active.  Jrest  [of  England]."  Frov. 
Gloss.  Under  this  word  he  retVrs  to  tlie  \\uyi\  Stroilf 
which,  he  says,  in  the  Exmore  dialect,  means  "  strength 
and  agility." 

SPRINCiT. 

An  English  friend  remarks,  that  this  word  i^  »♦  niuch 
used  here  by  tlie  vulgar  for  active  or  o^i'e  :  He  is  a 
springy  man."  B.  It  is  in  t!»e  dictionaries  in  the  sense  of 
clastic. 

Spunk. 

This  is  frequently  used  here,  by  tlie  vulgai-,  to  denote 
spirit  or  courage  ;  and  the  same  class  of  jicoplf  use  it  in 
Englatid  ;  but  probably  it  is  not  so  common  there  as  Immv. 
Walker  says,  it  is  "  used  in  Scotland  for  animation,  quick 
sensibility." 

To  Squ4LE.  To  throw  a  stick,  or  other  tiling,  witli  viobnre 
and  in  such  a  manner,  that  it  skims  ahnig  near  the 
ground.  ./Yew  England. 


180 

It  is  provincial  in  England  :  "  To  sqiiale  ;  to  throw  a 
sti(k,  as  at  a  rock.  West  [of  England]."  Grose's  Frov, 
libss.  In  the  If  est  country  (Grose  observes)  it  is  also 
pronounced  scale  ;  and  in  Norfolk  cail. 
To  SquAT.  To  squeeze  or  press.  Ex»  The  boy  has  squat 
his  finger.  Used  by  the  vulgar  in  JS'ew  England.  This 
is  an  Englisl)  provincial  word  :  "  To  squat ;  to  bruise  or 
make  flat  by  letting  iall.  South."  Grose's  Prov,  Gloss. 
The  dictionaries  have  to  squash,  in  the  same  sense. 

SqUATTERS. 

A  cant  name  in  New  England  for  those  people,  who 
enter  upon  new  lands  and  cultivate  them  without  permis- 
sion of  the  owners.  «  The  large  proprietor upon  vis- 
iting his  lands,  finds  his  timber  cut  down  and  sold,  and 
crops  growing,  houses  built,  and  possession  taken  by  a 
race  of  men  (the  settlers  and  lumberers)  who,  in  this  view, 
are  called  squatters."  Kendal's  Trav.  vol.  iii.  p.  160. 
SquAw.   An  Indian  w  oman. 

<'  The  men  make  the  poor  squaws,  their  wives,  do  all 
the  drudgery  for  them."  John  Bunion's  Journal ;  in  the 
Collections  of  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society,  vol.  ii. 
p.  114,  JVew  series.  *'  Squaws;  woman  :  Squaws-suck  ; 
women."  Roger  Williams'  Key  into  the  Language  of  the  In- 
dians of  JVew  England  ;  published  in  the  Collect.  Mass, 
Hist.  Society,  vol.  iii.  p.  203. 
To  SquiGGLE.     To  move  about  like  an  eel. 

Used  in  some  parts  of  JYew  England;  but  only  in 
very  familiar  conversation.  It  is  often  used  fgurutively 
in  speaking  of  a  man,  who  evades  a  bargain,  as  an  eel 
eludes  the  grasp.  I  do  not  find  this  word  in  any  of  the 
dictionaries,  or  glossaries. 
To  SquiRM.     To  move  about  like  an  eel.    JSTew  England. 

This  is  an  English  provincial  word  :  "  To  move  very 
nimbly  about,  after  the  manner  of  an  eel.  It  is  spoken 
of  an  eel."     Ray's  South  and  East  Country  Words ;  and 


181 

Grose's  Prov.  Gloss.  It  is  in  none  of  the  dictionaries  ex- 
cept Bailey's  (^octavo  edition)  and  Jsh's  ;  in  tlie  latter  of 
wliicli  it  is  erroneously  printed  squirn.  It  is  never  used 
here  except  in  the  most  familiar  conversation. 

Stage.  A  stage-coach.  Ex.  I  rode  in  the  stage  ;  tlie  stage 
is  gone,  &c. 

In  England  they  never  use  the  word  stage  by  itself, 
but  say,  either  the  coachf  or  the  stage-coach.  We  say,  the 
mail-s^fl^e  ;  the  English  say,  the  niail-coac/i.  The  ex- 
pression is  analogous  to  post-cooc/t,  post-c/mfse,  kc. 

Staging.  Scaffolding.  Used  in  JN^^w  England  ;  and,  I  be- 
lieve, in  other  parts  of  the  United  States. 

Stalks.     See  Corn-stalks. 

To  Starve.  "  To  perish  or  kill  with  hunger;  (with  cold  ; 
Enghmd.y  Webst.  Diet.  "  This  ['  with  cohl']  applies  to 
conversation  only."     Month.  Jinthol.  vol.  vil.  p.  262. 

Steal  (pron.  stall).  The  handle  of  various  implements  ;  as. 
a  rake-steal,  a  fork  steal,  kc.  Used  by  the  farmers  in 
some  parts  of  New  England.  It  is  a  provincial  word  in 
England  :  "  The  steal  of  any  thing,  i.  e.  manubrium. 
The  handle,  or  pediculns,  the  foot-stalk  :  a  Belg.  steel, 
stele  :  Tent,  stiel,  petiolus."  Ray*s  Smith  and  East  Coun- 
try Words.  This  term  is  also  mentioned  by  Mr.  Pegge  : 
"  Stale,  a  handle.  JVorth.  Pronounced  Stele."  Supplcm. 
to  Grose. 

Stimulus. 

Some  persons  in  this  country  have  doubted  whether 
this  word  (which  is  in  common  use  here)  is  an  aulhoriz^-d 
English  word.  It  is  not  in  tlie  dictionaries;  l)ut  it  is 
constantly  used  by  tlie  English  reviewers  and  other 
writers.  See  Brit.  Crit.  vol.  ii.  p.  362.  vol.  iii.  p.  .'jIS. 
vol.  iv.  p.  653,  &c. 

Stived.  (Commonly  used  with  np.J  A\-w  England.  A 
low  word. 


183 

'4 'I lis  is  an  Finii;lisli  provincialism:  ** Siived,  a] moni 
suftorutod.  Slived-up,  coiifined  in  a  hot  place.  Mrth,"* 
Feggc\<i  Supplcm.  to  Grose, 

Stock.  Cattle  in  .^oncral.  Used  commonly  in  speaking 
of  the  cattle  belongins^  to  a  farm.  It  is  provincial  in 
England  :  "  Stock,  cattle  in  general.  J\"brthJ^  Fegge^s 
Snpplem.  to  Grose. 

Stockholder.  A  proprietor,  in  a  Bank  or  other  incorpo- 
lated  Company. 

The  terms  proprietor  and  member  are  sometimes  used 
here  ;  but  stockholder  is  the  most  common.  In  England, 
\v!ien  sp(  iiking  of  the  East  India  Company,  they  uniform- 
ly say  proprietors  or  members  ;  and  the  same  words  are 
also  used  in  most  other  cases.  Sometimes,  however,  the 
term  s/mre-holdevs  is  used.  The  word  stock-holder  is  not 
in  the  dictionaries  ;  nor  do  I  recollect  meeting  witli  it  in 
any  British  publication,  except  in  the  following  instance ; 
where  it  is  used  to  signify  the  holders  of  the  public  stock 
or  funds :  "  The  stock-holders,  who  allow  inferior  capi- 
talists to  derive  a  profit  from  commission,  will  diminish 
that  allowance."     Edinb.  Rev.  vol.  iii.  p.  475. 

Store.     A  shop. 

"  Here  are  several  shops  and  warehouses,  called  stores, 
for  the  sale  of  foreign  goods,"  &c.  Kend.  Trav.  vol.  i.  p. 
128.  "  A  druggist's  shop  is  sometimes  called  an  apothe- 
caries STORE."  vol.  iii.  p.  128.  This  word  is  used  in 
the  same  manner  in  the  British  province  of  Canada ; 
and  (as  a  friend  informs  me)  in  the  British  West-Indies, 
See  also  Book-store. 

Stricken*. 

This  antirpiated  participle  is  much  used  in  Congress 
and  our  other  legislative  assemblies.  A  member  moves, 
that  certain  parts  of  a  bill  should  be  stricken  out,  &c. 
It  has  long  been  considered  as  an  obsolete  word  in  Eng' 


183 

land*  Dr.  Johnson  many  years  ago  called  it  "  the  aiicietil 
participle  of  strike."  But  some  individuals  in  that  coun- 
try, as  well  as  in  this,  occasionally  use  it.  The  latest 
instance  I  have  seen  is  the  following,  from  a  London 
newspaper  :  «  Many  of  the  foreigners  were  much  stricken 
with  the  splendour  of  the  scene."  TJw  Statesman  of  June 
10, 1814 ;  in  the  account  of  the  "  Court  at  Carlton  House." 
Our  own  critics  have  all  condemned  tlie  use  of  it ;  and  1 
do  not  recollect  meeting  with  it  in  our  best  writers. 

I  have,  in  one  or  two  instances,  known  the  still  more 
antiquated  participle  strucken  to  be  used  by  individuals  in 
this  country  ,•  but  it  was  always  noticed  as  a  singularity 
in  those  persons.  I  have,  however,  met  witli  one  in- 
stance of  it  in  a  modern  English  w  ork :  "  Some  coins 
had  actually  been  strucken  of  this  denomination,"  kc. 
JWisIi's  HudibraSf  vol.  iii.  f  JVofesJ  p.  35=  Notwithstand- 
ing the  fondness,  whicli  some  persons  have  discovrred 
for  the  ancient  participles  of  the  verb  to  strike,  yet  none 
have  ventured  to  revive  its  old  pretente  stkake,  which 
is  used  in  the  New  Testament :  "  And  fearing  lest  they 
shculd  fall  into  the  quicksands,  strake  sail,  and  so  were 
driven."  Jlcfs,  xxvii.  17. 

The  judicious  remarks  of  Dr.  Campbell  on  the  sul)ject 
of  reviving  obsolete  expressions,  are  deserving  of  our  at- 
tention. After  observing,  that  it  is  not  by  ancient  but 
by  2)resent  use,  that  our  style  must  be  regulated,  he  lias 
the  following  (among  other)  remarks  : — »*  liut  if  j)n'sent 
use  is  to  be  renounced  for  ancient,  it  will  be  neressar\  to 
determine  at  what  precise  period  anti(|uity  is  to  be  re- 
garded as  a  rule.  One  inclines  to  reui<>v(>  (lie  standaid 
to  the  distance  of  a  century  and  a  half;  aiKtthcr  may, 
witli  as  good  reason,  11  x  it  tlirce  rentiirics  backwards, 
and  another  six.     And  if  the  lan^iKige  (if   any  of  fhrsi- 


184 

periods  is  to  be  judged  by  the  use  of  any  other,  it  will  be 
found,  no  doubt,  entirely  barbarous.  To  me  it  is  so 
evident,  eitlier  that  the  present  use  must  be  the  standard 
of  the  present  language,  or  that  the  language  admits  no 
standard  whatsoever,  that  I  cannot  conceive  a  clearer  or 
more  indisputable  principle,  from  wliich  to  brijig  an  ar- 
gument to  support  it."  Philos.  ofRhet.  B.  ii.  ch.  l,sect.  3. 
(P.  19k  Boston  edit. J 

SuABtLiTT.  "  Liability  to  be  sued."  WebsL  Did. 

Several  years  ago,  when  the  question,  whether  a  state 
could  be  sued,  was  under  discussion,  this  word  was  much 
used.     It  is  now  rarely  heard. 

SuANT.     Even,  regular.     Ex.   The  grain  is  sown   suant. 
Used  in  some  parts  of  New  England. 

This  is  an  English  provincialism.  Marshall  has  it 
among  his  Provincialisms  of  the  West  of  England  thus  : 
«  Sonant ;  fair,  even,  regular.  (A  hackneyed  word)." 
Grose  also  has  it,  with  only  the  change  of  s  into  «,  which 
is  common  in  that  part  of  England  :  **  Zuant;  regular 
sowed.    The  wheat  must  be  zown  zuant."  Prov.  Gloss. 

Subscriber. 

"  Letters  signed  by  princes  are  a  very  uncertain 
test  of  the  talents  of  (what  by  a  very  convenient  American 
innovation  is  called)  the  subscriber."  Edinb.  Rev,  No.  xli. 
p.  188. 

To  Subserve. 

Tliis  is  sometimes  used  by  English  writers,  but  is  not 
considered  as  an  authorized  word.  It  is  in  common  use 
in  this  country,  particularly  with  our  divines.  The  Eng- 
lish say  to  be  subservient  to,  or  to  serve  ;  as  in  the  follow- 
ing example  :  "  We  are  of  opinion,  that  it  may  serve  the 
interests  of  society."  Brit.  Crit.  vol.  iii.  p.  577. 

Superior.     See  remarks  on  Inferior. 


185 

Succotash.  «  A  mixture  of  new  soft  maiz*  and  biaus 
boiled."  JFehst.  Did.    An  Indian  word. 

7b  Swale  or  S weal.  To  waste  or  blaze  away  T.S(d  lure 
ill  this  expression  only  :  The  candle  sweiUs. 

Ray  and  Grose  mention  this  as  provuiclal  in  England : 
«  Sweal :  singe.  To  sweal  a  hog.  A  swealM  cat  ;  a  cat 
whose  hair  or  fur  is  singed  olf  by  sleeping  in  the  aslies. 
Sweal  is  sometimes  applied  to  a  candle  that  droiisrs  <\v 
melts;  called  in  Middlesex ^arein^."  Grose's  Vrox.  Glass. 

To  Swap.     See  To  Swop. 

Sweep,  n.  The  same  thing  which  in  Yorkshire,  in  England, 
is  called  a  swa/?e ;  that  is,  "  a  long  pole  turning  oii  a 
fulcrum,  used  in  raising  water  out  of  a  well."  .MarsliaH's 
Trovincialisnis  of  Yorkshire.  It  is  liarilly  necessary  to  ol)- 
serve,  that  it  is  used  only  in  our  country  towns. 

To  Swop  or  Swap.  "  To  exchange,  or,  as  they  term  it,  to 
swap,  are  the  pursuits  in  which  they  wish  to  l)e  constant- 
ly engaged."  Kend,  Trav.  vol.  iii.  p.  87.  A  low  word, 
in  America. 

This  word  has  been  often  noticed  by  Englisli  travellers 
in  this  country,  and  may,  perhaps,  be  more  conitnoii 
here  than  in  England;  but  it  is  als(»  us-^d  by  the  vulgar 
in  that  country.  Dr.  Johnson  and  the  other  lexic(»graph- 
ers  call  it  a  low  word,  but  do  n(»t  speak  of  it  as  prnvin- 
cial.  Home  Tooke  also  nipnti(»ns  it  without  any  remark 
of  that  kind,  and  gives  the  following  otymcdogy  of  it  : 
«  The  Anglo-Saxon  verb  is  swipan,  in  modern  P^nglisb  to 
sweep.  Sxvoop  and  swop  are  (as  we  have  already  seen 
in  so  many  other  instances)  its  regular  past  parti(  iplr, 
by  the  change  of  the  characteristic  I  to  O."  Me  tl.en 
adds—"  A  swop  between  two  persons,  is  where,  by  tbc 
consent  of  the  parties,  without  any  delay,  anv  re<knning 

*  ?Mr.  Webster's  orthography  of  .Ifi-//:/-. 
2^- 


186 

or  countin.2^,  or  other  adjustment  of  proportion,  something 
is  ncej't  (iflT  at  once  by  each  of  them."  Dirersions  of  Pur- 
leif.  Part  2.  ]).  217 — 18  Amer.  Edit.  This  word  is  also 
much  used  in  Ireland  :  "  He  makes  me  an  offer  to  swop 
his  marey  Edgewortli's  Castle  Rack  Rent.  The  noun 
Swop  is  also  often  used  by  the  same  class  of  speakers 
that  would  employ  the  verh.  A  friend  has  pointed  out 
to  me  the  following  example  of  its  use  in  Jddison^s  day ; 
It  is  taken  from  a  letter  in  the  Spectator.  "  These  had 
made  a  foolis!)  swop  between  a  couple  of  thick  bandy  legs 
and  two  long  trapsticks  that  had  no  calfs  to  them."  Sped, 
No.  559. 
To  Systemize. 

An  English  friend  has  reminded  me  of  this  corruption 
of  the  verb  to  Systematize  ;  which,  as  he  observes,  is 
*<  a  common  error  in  some  parts  of  this  country."  ^. 
To  Tackle.  To  harness.    J\''ew  England. 

I  never  heard  this  word  used  in  England,  and  it  is 
not  in  Johnson^s  dictionary,  as  a  rer6,  in  any  sense.  Ash 
calls  it  "  a  local  word,  from  the  substantive  Tackle,  and 
defines  it — "  To  accoutre  ;  to  put  the  saddle  and  bi'idle 
on  a  horse."  Entick  also  has  it  with  tliis  definition  : 
"  To  saddle,  accoutre,  fit  out,  prepare."  In  England  how- 
ever (as  a  friend  observes)  to  harness  "  is  universally 
used,  where  in  New  England,  they  say  to  tackle.**  J. 
To  Tarry.     To  stay,  to  stop.  JVfw  England. 

This  verb  is  entirely  obsolete  in  England ;  and  it 
s;»unds  as  strangely  to  the  ear  of  an  Englishman,  as  / 
wist  not^  I  wot  not,  and  a  thousand  other  antiquated  ex- 
pressions would  to  us.  An  English  friend  remarks,  that 
**  if  it  were  not  used  in  our  translation  of  the  Bible,  it 
would  be  in  a  manner  out  of  recollection  among  the  Eng- 
lish." A. 


187 
Taverv. 

"  By  the  word  tavern  in  America  is  meant  an  inn,  oi 
public  house  of  any  description."  Jinnual  Rev.  \\,\.  i.  p. 
106,  note.  This  word  is  also  noticed  in  KendaCs  Travels, 
vol.  i.  p.  122 ;  and  the  exprcssi'm  to  keep  tavern,  in  the 
same  work,  vol.  ii.  p.  148.  In  Great  Brituin  (as  an 
obliging  English  friend  observes)  «  a  tavern  is  a  mere 
eating  house  ,•  an  inn  is  a  house  with  accommodalions 
for  man  and  horse."  B.  Tiie  word  tavern  is  used  in  the 
British  Province  of  Canada  just  as  it  is  in  the  U.  Stat  s. 
See  Lambert's  Travels.  A  friend  informs  me,  tbat  •'  it  is  al- 
so used  in  the  same  manner  in  the  British  Jf'est  Indies."  .1. 
Tedium.   «  Irksome ness,  wearisomeness."  Bailey,  fol.  edit. 

An  American  reviewer  of  Bancroft'.^  Life  of  frasliim;- 
ton  (where  this  word  is  used)  observes,  that "  tedium  is 
not  English."  Monthhj  Anthol.  vol.  iv.  p.  C^Gh.  The  oidy 
English  dictionary,  in  which  1  have  found  it,  is  the  folio 
edition  o^Baileifs;  the  octavo  edition  of  that  work  (of  the 
year  1761)  omits  it.  It  is  not  in  Mr.  Webster's  diction- 
ary ;  and  it  is  extremely  rare  in  the  writings  of  American'^. 
I  never  met  with  it  except  in  the  instance  above  alhiili-d 
to  by  the  reviewer. 
Temper. 

This  word  (as  an  English  friend  jusfly  ohsei-vcs)  when 
standhig  alone,  has  often  a  bad  sense  aflixed  to  it  in  .V*  vr 
England.  Thus,  <  the  book  shews  temper*  means  '  f  le  book 
manifests  warmth  of  temper.*  Jl.  In  JCw:;land  it  is  invari- 
ably used  in  its  original  sense  of  coolness  or  moderation  : 
"  The  loyal  associations,  conducted  as  they  hav.-  Ixcri  w  itii 
ie7n77cr,  judgment  and  a  strict  attention  to  tlie  laws."  \r. 
Brit.  Crit.  vol.  i.  p.  4  it.  " /rr/.s/j/n'^'/o/i  conducted  binisi  II 
with  great  coolness  and  temper  under  ;dl  the  irritating 
circumstances  of  citizen  Genet's  (oiKhid."  •'////'.  Ilev.  v<d. 
vii.  p.  339.  "  As  long  as  we  urg- our  own  opinions  with 


188 

temper,'"  kc.  ({unrt.  Rev.  vol.  xii.  p.  282.  The  derivatives 
temperate,  intemperate,  Kc.  arc  used  by  us  as  they  are  by 
the  Ki:glish. 

To  Tssr.     " To    compare    with  a  standard,  try,  prove." 
Tfeb.it.IJict. 

This  verb  is  now  in  general  use  with  American  wri- 
ters. "  An  occasion  presented  itself  for  testing  the  firmness 
of  the  resolution  he  had  deliberately  taken,"  &c.  Marsh. 
Life  of  Wa<ih.  vol.  v.  p.  400.  [p.  469.  Lond.  8ro.  eilit.'] 
"  Let  us  testi\\'\H  dogma  by  plain  fact."  First  Ripe  Fruits, 
^c.  bij  the  Rev.  John  Mason,  JVew  York.  "  In  order  to 
test  tlip  correctness  of  this  Fr  ^nch  system  of  sermonizing," 
&c.  Jdams*  Lectures  on  Rhetoric  and  Oratorij,  vol.  i.  p. 
334.  The  use  of  test  as  a  verb  is  condemned  by  the  Eng- 
lish reviewers.  The  Jnnual  Review  vol.  vii.  p.  241) 
mcntioiis,  among  the  instances  of  "  incorrect  language" 
in  Marshall's  Life  of  Washington,  the  use  of  <•  testing  for 
putting  to  the  tad,'*  in  the  example  above  quoted  from 
that  work.  The  Christian  Observer  (vol  ii.  p.  664)  in  the 
review  of  Dr.  Mason's  First  Ripe  Fruits,  gives  the  ex- 
pression above  qu(;ted  from  it,  as  one  instance  of  the 
<<  occasional  rnlgarisms,  posribly  Anglo- Americanisms,"  of 
that  work.  Some  of  our  own  writers  have  also  expres- 
eed  the  strongest  disapprobation  of  the  use  of  this  verb  ; 
*'  Test  is  a  verb  only  in  writers  of  an  inferior  rank,  who 
disregard  all  the  land-marks  of  language."  Monthly  An- 
ihol.  vol.  vii.  p.  264. 

Tidy.     Neat,  cleanly.     JSTexv  England. 

This  coll'iquial  word  is  in  all  the  dictionaries ;  but 
in  tlie  Gentleman's  Magazine  (vol.  Ixiii.  p.  1084)  it  is 
classed  anir)ng  the  local  words  of  the  Tfest  of  England, 
It  is  also  ranked  amor.g  English  provincialisms  by  Mr. 
Pegge,  in  his  Supplement  to  Grose.  An  Englisli  friend, 
however,  says,  "  it  is  used  in  Old  England,  in  those  cases 


189 

in  which  it  is  employed  in  Xew  En.2;lan(l."  A. 

To  AND  AGAIN.     Biickvvards  and  forwards. 

A  low  expression,  used  by  the  illiti  rate  in  New  fin- 
gland.  It  is  an  English  jjrorindalwn  :  '*  To  and  again  ; 
backwards  and  forwards.  York  and  Derb."  i'eggc's 
Supplem,  to  Grose, 

To  for  At. 

"I  have  been  to  Philadelpliia,  for  at  or  in  Pliiladel- 
phia  ;  I  have  been  to  dinner,  for  1  have  dined."  If'ith- 
ersp.  Dndd,  No.  6.  Expressions  like  the  folhtwiiig 
(vvhicli  have  been  noted  by  an  obliging  English  fii  ml) 
are  very  common  with  the  illiterate  :  »*  He  livi-s  fo  \'<\  k  ; 
he  is  to  his  store.  1  have  even  heard,  He  isn*!  to  homi." 
B.  Dr.  Witherspoon  classes  this  use  of  fo  among  his 
"  Vulgarisms  in  JmericaJ'  The  f  >llo\viiig  instance  is 
from  an  *3mencan  edition  of  Robert  so  n^s  C'narKs  >' :  ••  Ilr 
put  himself  io  the  head  of  the  men  at  arms,"  ^.c.  Hook  iii. 
A.  D.  152i  (vol.  ii.  p.  175,  Philadelphia  edition  of  1801.) 
The  English  quarto  edition,  p.  203,  has — He  put  himself 
at  the  head,  &c.  A  writer  in  the  Gciitleviau's  Mr^dzinc 
saj's,  to  IS  used  for  at,  "  all  oxcv Devon  in  Enghind."  vol. 
Ixiii.  p.  1084. 

To  Tote.     To  carry,  convey,  remove,  kc.  (Virginia  ^r.)" 
Webst.  Did. 

A  r 'Viewer  of  Mr.  Webster's  dictionary  savs — "I'otr 
is  marked  by  Mr.  Webster,  Virg.  {^Virginia J  but  we 
brlieve  it  a  native  vulgarism  of  .MfissarhusiHs."  Moulh- 
lij  JnthoL  vol.  vii.  p.  26i.  Dr.  irUhcrspmn.  howcv.r, 
many  years  ago  noted  it  as  a  word  pcridiar  to  '•  soin-  of 
the  Southern  States."  See  his  Druid,  No.  7.  It  is  a  nr  re 
vule-arism,  and  is  mucli  more  usi-d  in  the  b'oitllirru  fliaii 
in  the  JVorthern  States. 

Town.  "  A  collerticm  of  houses,  a  distrid  r,f  mlj-iii  liinitu, 
tne  inhabitants  or  the  legal  voters  of  a  tow  n."  h  chst.  JUd. 


190 

«  Jl  collection  of  houses  joining,  or  nearly  joining  each 
otlin;  is  I  he  first  requisite  in  the  definition  of  a  town^ 
thoiii^h  the  word  betaken  in  the  loosest  sense  that  is  ad- 
missible in  Europe.  In  JSTcw  FMgland,  however,  a  toxcn 
is  XQvy  commonly  described  as  containing  two  or  three 
villages ;  and  these  are  frequently  separated  from  each 
otiier  by  two  or  three  lakes,  and  two  or  three   tracts  of 

forest A    fown,  then,  in   Connecticut  and  the    other 

parts  of  New  Ens;land,  is  first,  a  district  or  geographic- 
al subdivision,  in  which  sense  is  the  phrase  *  Inhabitants 

of  towns;'  secondly,  it  is  a  body  corporate In  truth, 

the  society^  town  and  county  in  these  countries,  are  new 
modifications  of  the  parish,  hundred  and  shire,  in  which 
the  powers  and  immunities  are  differently  distributed.*' 
KcndaVs  Trav.  vol.  i.  pp.  12,  85,  113. 

The  word  town,  in  the  sense  of  a  district,  is  used  in 
Ireland :  "  The  word  town  in  Ireland  does  not  mean  as  it 
docs  here  [in  EngUmd]  houses  inhabited,  but  is  merely  a 
technical  description  of  a  particular  district,  and  is  noto- 
rious there."  See  the  case  of  Massey  vs.  Rice  ;  Cowper^s 
Reports,  318. 
Township.  "  The  territory  or  land  of  a  town."  Webst,  Diet, 

This  word  is  seldom  used  now  in  England,  I  believe, 
except  to  signify  "  tlie  corporation  of  a  town,"  wliich  is 
Johnson's  first  sense  of  it.  His  secojid  signification,  how- 
ever, is — "  the  district  belonging  to  a  town  ;"  and  his 
authority  is  Sir  Walter  Raleigh.  The  following  instance 
is  from  a  modern  English  author :  "  The  common  field 
townships  were  divided  into  a  certain  number  of  livings, 
i.  e.  tenements  or  farms."  Marshall's  Rural  Econ.  of  Mid- 
land Counties;  word  Living. 
Trade.  Doctor's  trade  ;  that  is,  drugs  or  medicines.  Used 
by  the  vulgar  in  .A'ew  England.    In  the  county  of  JS^or- 


191 

folk  in  England,  they  have  the  name  of  Doctor's  geer.   See 
Grose's  Prov.  Gloss. 

Transient.  In  this  expression—"  He  is  a  transient 
person;"  that  is,  one  who  has  not  a  fixed  residence 
in  a  town.  It  is  noticed  by  th^  English  nvicwn-s  (in 
their  account  of  StoddariVs  Sketches  of  Lonisianu)  by  being 
put  in  Italics  in  the  following  quotation  from  tliat  work  : 
"  The  accounts  of  Indian  traders  and  other  transient  pcr- 
s«ms,"  &c.  See  the  Eclectic  Rev.  for  M^.  ISIS,  p.  11<1. 

Tricky.  Trickislu  Jlowivord.   Ex.    Ho  is  a /nVA;/ fcljuw. 

Turnpike.  "  A  toll-gate  set  on  a  road  ;  a  road  on  -u-ltich 
a  turnpike  is  erected.''*  JVebst.  Diet. 

This  word  (says  an  English  friend)  is  always  used 
in  America  **  to  signify  the  road.  It  is  unf|uc.stionab]y 
the  gate^  and  in  England  they  always  say,  the  turnjiike 
road,  and  by  turnpike  alone  they  mean  the  gate.'*  B.  "  'I'hr 
turnpike  roads  of  England  are  placed  under  tlie  manage- 
ment and  direction  of  certain  bodies  of  trustees,"  Jcr. 
Hawkins*  Pleas  of  the  Crorwn,  hy  I^ach^  IJ.  I.  cb.  rn. 
**  The  passage  of  carriages  or  horses  tbrougb  a?iy  hinijhhr, 
toll-gate,  or  bar,  at  wbich  any  toll  is  ((tllec  te(l,"\c.  Slut. 
35.  Geo.  3.  c.  57,  cited  in  the  same  chapter  of  that  vork. 

Ugly.  lU-tomjjen'd,  bad.  fJVeiv  Englnud.)  Ex.  He  is  wu 
ugly  fellow  ,•  that  is,  of  a  bad  disposition,  \\i(  ked.  Tli»« 
compound  ugly -tempered  is  sometimes  used.  'Iliey  nir 
both  heard  only  among  tlie  illiterate. 

Unpeeling,  n.  Want  of  feeling.  Tbis  word  isjusflyrrn- 
sured  in  the  Monthly  Mlho'o!j;y,  vol.  iv.  p.  -^sl.  I  n«Y<r 
saw  it  in  any  other  instance  tiian  tlie  (tix-  Ihi  re  relVrred 

to. 
Unlocated.     See  To  Locate;  second  Kignificalion. 

To  Variate. 

A  friend  has  reminded   mo,  tb;it   tliis  is   u  r.ivoiiiiir 
word  with  a  fow  of  our  <  lergymen.  in  llie  following  rx- 


i02 

pivssion,  wliir'i  is  much  us'd  in  their  prayers :  **  Vari- 
air  of  thy  nirrcios  according  to  our  circimistances  and 
wants."  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  rcmaik,  that  this  verb 
is  not  in  any  of  the  dictionaries. 

Vendue.     Auction.     J\'ew  England. 

This  word  was  foimeily  more  common  than  auction. 
It  is  now  chiefly  used  in  legal  proceedings,  in  conformity 
witJi  the  pljrascology  of  ancient  statutes  of  the  difFs  rent 
States.  It  is  neither  in  Mr.  ffebster^s^  nor  the  English 
dictionaries  ;  but  it  has  been  added  to  some  of  the  Amer- 
ican editi<ms  of  Johnson  and  Walker.  <<  It  is  used  (says 
a  friend)  in  the  British  West  Indies;  whose  similar  rir- 
cumstanccs  or  similar  personages,  have  often  produced  a 
correspondence  with  the  phrases  of  the  United  States."  A. 

To  Wage.     "  To  lay  a  wager  ;  to  bet."     Tfebst.  Did. 

The  English  use  the  verb  to  bet.  Dr.  Johnson  indeed 
says,  that  the  verb  to  xvage  "  is  now  only  used  in  the 
phrase  to  wage  war  ;  and  does  not  give  it  in  the  sense 
of  latjing  a  wager  ;  but  has  only  the  verb  to  wager.  Bai- 
ley, however,  and  Entick,  and  some  others  have  to  wage 
in  this  sense.  An  English  friend  observes,  that  if  an 
Englishman  were  to  use  a  verb  of  tl»is  derivation,  "  he 
would  say,  to  wager.**  J. 

Wap.     See  Whop. 

"Went /or  Gone. 

This  inaccuracy  is  sometimes  heard  in  conversation; 
but  the  use  of  it  is  confined  to  those  people  who  are  whol- 
ly inattentive  to  their  language.  It  is  a  London  vulgar- 
ism. Mr.  Pegge  has  the  following  remarks  upon  it,  in 
connexion  with  his  observations  upon  covi*d  for  came  : 
•■<  The  Londoner,  if  asked,  wlien  he  returned  to  town  ? 
will  answer,  I  coined  yesterday  ;  and  if  asked,  why  he 
returned  so  unexpectedly  ?  v  ill  t'll  you,  he  had  not 
com'd  but  on  particular  business Tiius  much,  sir,  for 


193 

the  Cockney's  coming  to  town :— anil  now  let  us  hear  him 
on  tlie  subject  of  his  going  into  the  country  ,•  wlicn  lie 
will  tell  you  that,  except  for  such  a  reason,  »•  he  had  not 
went."     Anecdotes  of  the  English  Lang.  p.  232—3. 

Wharves,  plur.  of  Wharf. 

Americans  always  make  the  plural  of  this  noun, 
'wharves i  the  English  say  wharfs.  "  Thei-e  were  n>it  in 
London  used  so  many  wharfs  or  keys  for  the  landing  of 
merchants'  goods."  Child,  as  cited  by  Johnson.  ♦•  Soim-- 
thing  that  is  artificial,  as  keys  and  wJuirfs,"  Ace.  Lord 
Hale,  De  Portubus  Maris,  ch.  2.  "  This  occasioned  the 
statutes which  enahle  tlie  crown  by  commission  to  as- 
certain the  limits  of  all  ports,  aud  to  assign  proptr  whurfs 
and  quays  in  each  port,"  &c.  Blackst.  Com.  i.  ^Oi.  ••  Tlic 
Legislature  must  have  supposod  that  tlie  wanliouscs, 
quays,  and  wharfs  would  not  be  so  constructed,"  kv. 
Lord  Ellenborough,  in  the  case  of  Harden  vs.  Smith,  8 
EasVs  Reports,  20.  The  word  quay  ('uniformly  pronounc- 
ed keyj  is  in  more  common  use  in  London,  than  wharf. 
In  the  Colony  and  Province  Laws  of  Massa(  liusttts, 
I  have  observed  the  plural  wharfs  (or  wharfesj  as  hid- 
as  the  year  1735  j  but  after  that  period  tli«'  plural 
wharves  is  used. 

Whop,  Whap,  n. ;  Awhap,  ad.  "An  ohl  wdid  fm-  a  li»a\_\ 
fall,  or  the  manner  of  falling ;  still  used  by  the  n  uIgur." 
Webst.  Diet. 

A  reviewer  of  Mr.  Webster's  dicticmary  (.bscrv.H— 
"  Whap  never  fell  under  our  notice  before."  Month.  .In- 
thol.  vol.  vii.  26*.  (1809)  In  a  late  Englisli  work  lb.- 
noun  and  verb  are  both  metUioncd  as  provinruilisms  ..I 
Somersetshire :  «  W7<0]7,  a  heavy  l)h)W.  irhop,  v.  '\\>  strikr 
with  heavy  blows."  Month.  Mag.  vol.  xxxviii.  p.  .5.53. 
(1814)  I  have  never  met  with  any  account  ol  the  ad- 
verb awhap;  nor  have  I  heard  it  used  in  this  tounlry. 


194 

To  Wilt.     To  witlicr. 

This  is  provincial  in  the  South  and  West  of  England : 
"  To  wilt,  or  wilter  ;  to  wither.     These  flowers  are  all 
wilted.^*     Grose's  Prov,  Gloss,     It  is  not  in  the  diction- 
aries. 
WocXD  for  Should  :  In  tliis  expression — "  It  would  seem. 

This  is  the  common  idiom  in  the  United  States.  The 
Scottish  wiiters  also  generally  use  it :  "But  these  people, 
it  would  seem,  need  to  be  informed,"  &c.  Campb.  Philos. 
Rhet.  B.  ii.  cli.  3,  (p.  255.  Jmer.  edit.J.  The  English 
more  commonly  say,  it  should  seem :  "  He  could  not,  it 
should  seem,  have  tp.ken  a  more  agreeable  or,  perhaps,  a 
more  modest  method  of  transmitting  himself  to  posterity." 
Melmoth^s  Pliny^  pre/,  p.  1.  "  The  want  of  correspond- 
ence is  to  be  imputed  sometimes,  it  should  seem,  to  inad- 
vertency, and  sometimes  to  design."  Review  of  Combe's 
Horace  (written  by  Dr.  Parr)  in  the  Brit.  Cnt.  vol.  iii, 
p.  53.  "  It  should  seem,  that  literature  is  not  neglected. 
Brit.  Crif.  vol  vii.  pref.  p.  9.  **  With  an  intention,  as  it 
should  seem,  to  provoke  inquiry."  ^uart.  Rev.  vol.  iv. 
p.  157.  But  the  practice  of  English  writers  is  not  inva- 
riable ;  as  will  be  seen  by  the  following  examples  of  their 
use  of  if  would  seem :  The  first  point,  however,  it  would 
seem,  embraces,"  kc.  ^uart.  Rev.  vol.  vii.  p.  2.  <*  It  would 
seem,  however,  that  we  have,"  &c.  vol.  viii.  p.  273.  See 
the  same  work,  vol.  v.  p.  374  &  388  ;  vol.  ix.  p.  431. 

The  expression  it  should  seem  (as  Mr.  Pegge  observes) 
"  is  a  modest  and  common  way  of  expressing  <  it  seems* 
among  various  WTiters,  where  any  diffidence  is  intended."* 
But  this  use  oi  should  for  would  appears  to  be  an  an«imaly 
in  our  language  at  the  present  day.  Dr.  Johnson  observes 
— "  There  is  another  signification  now  little  in  use,  in 
whicli  should  has  scarcely  any  distinct  or  explicable  mean- 

*  Anecdotes  of  the  En,^lish  Lang^uag-e,  p.  168. 


195 

ing.  It  should  le  differs  in  this  sense  very  little  'Voni  i7 
is  :  <  There  is  a  fabulous  narration,  that  in  the  northern 
countries  there  shmild  he  an  herb  that  groweth  in  tlie  like- 
ness of  a  lamb,  and  feedeth  upon  the  grass.'  Bacon,'* 
Johiis.  Did.  V.  Should. 

It  should  be  observed  that,  although  English  w  ritei-s 
generally  use  should^  with  the  verb  seem,  yet  with  thr  m  i  h 
appear  in  similar  cases  they  use  woii'd — *<  Thus  it  icouUl 
appear,  that  the  annual  increment  of  the  coin  is  not  one 
twenty  seventh  part  of  that  of  our  stock  of  the  precious 
metals."  Biit.  Crit.  vol.  vi.  p.  139.  «*  Or,  as  it  woh/J  ap- 
pear, thought  of  at  all."  ib.  p.  521.  *•'  He  read,  as  it  tconlil 
appear,  among  other  reasons,  for  the  purpose  of  a«^cer:aiii- 
rng  what  had  been  written,  quart.  Uev.  vol.  vii.  p.  r.'.M*, 


SUPPLEMENT, 

Containing  several  additional  Words,  and  Corrections  and 
Jldditioas  to  the  articles  in  the  Vocabulary. 


To  JlDvocAfE,     (See  Fbca&.J 

To  this  article  add — It  may  be  observed,  that  if  the  Amer- 
icans have  n(»t  a  right  to  "  plume  themselves*'  on  this  word 
as  a  "  discovery,"  they  may  justly  claim  the  merit  (if  there  is 
any  in  the  case)  of  reviving  it. 
AhrijyiJLisM.     Sensuality. 

"  The  brute  must  have  predominated,  in  the  writer,  over 
the  man,  and  held  the  pen,  as  well  as  controuled  the  heart, 
when  this  effusion  of  animalism  was  poured  out  upon  the 
world."  Remarks  on  the  Quarterly  Revieiv  of  Inchiquin^s 
Letters;  p.  152.    (Boston,  1815.) 

This  word  is  not  in  general  use  in  America ;  but  is  pecu- 
liar to  the  writer  here  quoted. 
.Ippellate. 

English  writers  in  some  cases  use  appellant  where  we 
should  employ  appellate  :  "  The  part  his  Lordship  took  in  the 
revival  of  the  appellant  jurisdiction  of  the  House  of  Peers  in 
Ireland."  Brit.  Crit.  vol.  ix.  p.  298.  "  The  proper  province 
of  their  members  [i.  e.  the  members  of  the  French  Parliaments! 
was  that  of  judges  ;  in  all  matters  of  law,  they  had  both  an 
original  and  an  appellant  jurisdiction."  Gifford^s  Life  of 
Fitt,  vol.  ii.  p.  4. 

Johnson  has  appellant  as  a  substantive  only ;  but  Mr. 
Toddhas  it  as  an  adjective  also:  "Appellant,  ctdj.  Appeal- 
ing; relating  to  an  appeal,  or  to  the  appealer.'>  Todies 
Johnson. 


197 

AjiK.  «  A  lumber  vessel  or  ship."  TFebst.  Diet.  (Southern  and 
Western  States.) 

"  These  boats  [on  tlie  river  Ohio]  are  generally  called 
^Irks  ,-.... They  are  square  and  flat-bottomed  ;  about  forty  feet 
by  fifteen,  with  sides  six  feet  deep,  covered  with  a  roof  of  thin 
boards,  and  accommodated  with  a  fire  place.  Tliey  vill  Iiold 
from  200  to  500  barrels  of  flour.  They  require  but  four  bandi 
to  navigate  them ;  carry  no  sail,  and  are  wafted  down  by  the 
current.''  Tour  into  the  TerHtm'y  JVorthivest  of  the  JUe>- 
ghany  Mountains^  by  Thad.  INI.  Hai-ris.  p.  SO. 

JlrrRiBU'Tio}}.  "The  act  of  ascribing.-'  JVehst.  Diet.  "It  la 
the  attribution  of  these  iniquities  to  the  ^mericaiiii,  with  an 
intention  to  make  them  a  characteristical  disgrace  peculiar  to 
them,  of  which  I  complain."  liemarkii  on  the  Cluurtevlif  Ifn-ieio 
(art.  Inchiquin's  Letters,)  p.  81. 

A  correspondent  remarks,  that  lie  has  never  seen  attrilm- 
tion  thus  used,  except  in  the  work  here  (pioted.  It  is  not  in 
general  use  in  this  country;  and  is  very  rarely  to  be  found  in 
Enf>lish  authors.  Dr.  Johnson  has  it  (on  tlie  authorifv  nf  alil 
ivriters)  only  in  the  sense  of  "  commendation"  and  "  cpiali- 
ties  ascribed."  Mr.  Todd,  however,  has  added  to  tlu-se  the. 
signification  in  question  ;  on  the  authority  of  JFarton  :  "  'I'lie 
attribution  of  prophetical  language  to  birds  was  cominoii  among 
the  orientals."    Warton's  Hist.  £ng.  Poet.  i.  Uiss.  \. 

BeTHUS'TMENT'. 

I  never  knew  this  extraordinary  word  to  he  usrd  in  any 
publication,  except  in  the  following  instance  :  "  ».•  i.!i|.irs.rd 
with  a  sense  of  this  interesting  beivustmeiit,  and  un.ln-  ih« 
double  excitement  of  duty  and  of  interest,  he  prcpan-.l  to  ait 
with  firmness  and  fidelity."  Letters  to  the  J'eojdr ;  /;//  «  luir- 
mer.  Lett.  i.  The  Enstisk  dictionaries  have  the  verb  lu  l>f- 
trust;  but  I  believe  the  substantive  betrustment  is  not  noticed 
by  any  lexicographer,  except  our  countryman,  Mr.  /IV/.^/.r. 

Big. 

This  adjective  is  generally  used  by  the  people  of  the  .sv,«//,- 
cm  States,  in  cases  where  a  Mw  Ev^tander  would  une  ^rrat 


198 

or  l/irgf.    Kv.  A  big'  man,  &,c.     We  sh<)uUl  say  in  JS'ew  Eng- 
land, a  large  man. 
Call.    Occasion;  necessity.    "  He  has  no  call  to  act  upon  the 
vill  of  his  hearers."  Jidam-s  Lectures  on  lihetoric  and  OratO' 
ri/y  vol.  i.  p.  '254. 

This  use  of  the  nonn  call  is  noticed  by  Grose,  as  provin- 
cial  in  England:  ^^  Call.  Occasion,  obligation.  He  had  no 
call  to  do  it.  Derb.*'  Prov.  Gloss. 
To  Commerce.  A  correspondent  has  pointed  out  to  me  the  fol- 
lowing instance  of  the  use  of  this  word  :  "  The  profit  that 
would  arise  to  Virginia  from  commercing  with  China.."  JSTortk 
,9merican  Heview,  vol,  i.  p.  3. 

This  verb  has  long  been  considered  as  obsolete  in  England. 
I  have  not,  however,  seen  it  expressly  mentioned  as  out  of  use, 
in  any  of  the  dictionaries,  except  the  "  AVic  Universal  Eng- 
lish Biciionary,"  by  William  Hider  ;  London,  1759. 
To  Compare,  v.  neut.  E.v.  This  does  not  comjmre  with  that. 
AVe  sometimes  hear  the  verb  compare  used  in  this  manner  in 
cmiversation  ;  but  there  is  no  authority  for  it.  I  never  saw 
it  in  this  sense,  in  any  of  our //wWica^ions. 
To  CoMPROMir.     (See  Vucah.J 

Mr.  Todd  has  admitted  this  verb  into  his  edition  of  John- 
son ;  but  with  the  following  remarks  :  "  This  is  our  old  word 
for  compromise.  '  To  compromit  or  put  unto  compromise.' 
Sherwood.  It  has  been  of  late  revived,  especially  by  Ameri- 
can writers."* 
ConflagraTive. 

This  word  is  noticed  (among  otliers)  in  the  well  known 
review  of  Inchiquiifs  Letters  published  in  the  Quarterly 
Review  ;  where  the  use  of  such  words  by  certain  individuals 
in  the  United  States,  is  considered  as  evidence  of  a  design  in 

*  The  preceding  sheets  of  the  present  work  were  all  printed,  before  I 
had  an  opportunity  of  seeing'  any  more  than  the  First  Part  of  Mr.  Todd's 
edition  of  Johnson^  comprehending  the  whole  of  the  letter  A  and  a  small 
part  of  B.  I  have  just  seen  the  four  subsequent  Parts,  which  extend  as  far 
as  the  word  Inert  ,•  and  the  reader  will  find,  in  the  following  articles  of  this 
Supplement,  such  of  his  remarks  on  some  of  the  Words  above  uoticed,.  as 
upon  a  cursory  examination  appeared  to  be  most  important. 


199 

tliis  country,  to  make  an  entire  change  in  our  language.  The 
Reviewers  say — "  The  President  of  Yale  College  talks  of  a 
conflagrative  brand,  and  President  Jefferson  of  belittling  the 
productions  of  nature."  ^iiart.  Rev.  vol.  x.  p.  528. 

One  of  our  writers,  in  his  reply  to  that  Review,  admits 
the  word  in  question  to  have  been  used ;  and  defends  the 
author,  by  producing  instances  of  individuals  in  England,  who 
have  made  use  of  very  ridiculous  expressions.  See  Remarks 
on  the  Quarterly  Review,  Boston  1815. 
Demoralizjit'ion.    (See  Vocab.J 

Notmthstanding  the  unqualified  manner,  in  which  tlxis 
word  is  condemned  by  the  Edinburgh  Revieivers,  it  is  admitted 
into  Mr.  Todd's  edition  of  Johnson  ;  and  the  ^luirterly  Review, 
for  Nov.  1810,  is  cited  as  the  autliority.  The  editor  however 
observes,  tiiat  it  is  "  of  very  recent  usage  only." 
To  Demoralize. 

This  verb,  as  well  as  the  preceding  noun,  is  admitted  into 
Mr.  ToddPs  work  ;  with  the  following  remarks :  "  Tliis  verb  is 
of  late  introduction  into  our  language.  It  may  be  defined  the 
opposite  to  our  old  word  moralize  ;  which,  however,  has  not 
hithei-to  been  explained  agreeably  to  its  usage  by  the  excel- 
lent author  of  the  Christian  Life :  '  Those  laws  and  cir- 
cumstances, which  do  moralize  human  actions,  and  render 
them  reasonable  and  holy  and  good.'  Scott's  (for^^s,  fol.  ii.  1^29. 
To  demoralize  is  to  render  them  unreasonable,  unholy  and  un- 
just." 

DEPARtMENfAL.    (ScC    Vocob.) 

Mr.  Todd  has  admitted  this  word  into  his  dictionary,  upon 
the  authoi'ity  of  Burke  ;  by  whom  it  is  used  (in  speaking  of 
French  affairs  only)  in  his  Preface  to  Jirissot^s  Jddress. 

To  Derasge.    (See  Vocah.j 

Mr.  Todd  observes,  that  about  twenty  years  since  tiiis  was 
condemned  as  a  Gallicism  ;  and  he  then  quotes  the  remark  of 
the  British  Critic  (upon  this  and  other  Gallicisms)  which  I 
cited  under  the  word  Debark.  But  he  adds,  that  "  Derange 
has  gained  ground  ;  and  is  now  common." 

DisoRGANUAi'ioNand  Disonc^AhiizE.  (See  Vncah.\.  Orgavixc  ) 


TliOJK'  aro  both  admilUnl  into  Mr.  Todd's  work,  v\ith  no 
otlier  roiuark,  tliati  tins ;  tliat  tliey  are  modern  words. 
DoMisAsf.    (See  Vocab.J 

Though  this  word  was  objected  toby  t)\e  English  Reviewers 
twenty  years  ago,  yet  it  is  now  adinilted  into  Mr.  Todd's  woik, 
where  the  following  authority  is  cited  :  "  By  the  then  dominant 
party  it  [Milton's  Eiconoclastcs]  was  esteemed  an  excellent 
piece!"   Ji.  Wood^  of  Milton,  Fasti  O.von.  sub  ann.  1635. 

ELLC-r  JON  BERING. 

Mr.  Todd  has  tliis  noun,  but  not  the  verb  to  electioneer. 
He,  however,  calls  it  "  a  low  word." 
To  Enbrgizr.    (See  Vocab.J 

Mr.  Todd  has  admitted  this  into  his  work,  upon  the  au- 
thority of  Harris  (the  author  of  Hermes  J  and  Bishop  Horshy. 
He  also  has  the  substantiv(i  Energizer,  upon  the  authority  of 
Harris. 
EuLOGiuM.    (See  Vocab.J 

Tliis  is  not  in  Mr.  Todd's  work.     I  presume  it  was  not 
an  intentional  omission. 
Evidential.    (See  Vocab.J 

Mr.  Todd  has  admitted  this  word,  upon  the  authority  of 
Bp.  Fleetwood,  Essay  on  Miracles,  p.  2£9. 
To  Evoke.    (See  Vocab.J 

Mr.  Todd  says — "  This  verb  is  in  Cockerain's  old  Vocab- 
ulary, but  I  have  not  found  it  in  use  till  a  century  after  it." 
He  then  cites  fFarburton''s  Letters  to  Hard,  1749,  Lett.  vi. 
(wliich,  I  have  observed,  a  friend  had  pointed  out  to  me)  and 
Wurton''s  Hist.  Eng.  Poetry,  W.  362. 
To  Expatriate  ;  Expatriated  ;  Expatriation. 

These  words  have  been  much  used  here,  both  in  the  sense 
of  merely  quitting  one^s  country  (which  is  the  original  French 
signification)  and  of  throwing  off  one's  allegiance  ;  but  more 
commonly  in  the  latter  sense.  The  only  English  dictionary 
in  which  J  have  observed  either  of  them  is  Entick's ;  which 
has  only  the  participle  exjiatriated,  in  the  first  of  these  signi- 
fications.   The  words  are  but  little  used  in  England, 


201 

Factor  r.    (See  Vocah.) 

To  the  two  significations  which  Dr.  Johnson  has  given  of 
this  word  Mr.  Todd  adds — ."S.  A  place  where  any  tiling  is 
made  ;"  in  which  sense  it  is  commonly  employed  in  this  coun- 
try. He  cites  the  following  example  from  an  old  writer : 
"  Our  corrupted  hearts  are  the  factoHes  of  the  Devil,  which 
may  be  at  work  without  his  presence." 

To  Feat  HER.  v.  neut. 

A  friend  has  reminded  me  of  this  colloquial  word,  which  is 
used  in  some  parts  ot  New  England,  to  denote  the  appearance 
of  curdled  cream,  when  it  rises  upon  tlie  surface  of  a  cup  of 
tea  or  coiFee,  in  the  form  of  little  flakes,  somewhat  resembling 
feathers.  We  say — Tlie  cream  feathers.  I  do  not  find  this 
signification  of  the  word  in  the  English  dictionaries  or  glossa- 
ries. In  the  Southern  States,  1  believe,  they  use  the  verb  to 
curdle. 

To  Felloivship. 

A  friend  has  given  me  the  following  instances  of  the  use  of 
this  verb  ;  which  is  new  to  me :  "  We  considered  him  heretic- 
al, essentially  unsound  in  the  faith  ;  and  on  this  ground  refus- 
ed to  felloivship  with  him."  Address  to  the  Christian  Public, 
by  a  number  of  the  Clergy  and  Laity  of  Hampshire  County  ; 
printed  at  Greenfield,  1813.  "  This  Council  recommend  to  t'le 
charity  of  any  regular  church  where  it  may  be  consistent  with 
their  convenience  and  their  wishes  to  felloivship.^^  Result  of 
an  Ecclesiastical  Council  holden  at  Salisbury,  J^ew  JIamp' 
shire,  October  1814. 

Fix.  n. 

A  correspondent  informs  me,  that  this  word  is  in  common 
use,  as  a  noun,  in  JVorth  Carolina,  Vir^nia,  and  Kentucky  ; 
in  expressions  of  this  kind  :  "  That  hri(lj:e  in  in  a  had  fi.x' ;"  or 
(if  it  has  been  repaired)  "  it  is  in  a  good^vT."  I  never  heard 
it  in  J^eiv  England. 

Grade.    (See  Vocab.) 

"  This  word  (says  Mr.  Todd)  has  been  brought  forward  in 
some  modern  pamphlets,  but  it  will  hardly  be  adoptad." 
26 


^0)d 

To  QRADUAtF.    (Sec  Vocal). J 

Dr.  Johnson  (as  I  have  remarked)  has  this  only  as  a  verb 
actire.     Mr.  Todd  has  it  as  a  verb  neuter  also  :  "  To  gradu- 

^  ate.  i:  n.  To  take^ii  academical  degree ;  to  become  a  gradu- 
ate :  as,  he  graduated  at  Oxford." 

Great.     See  remarks  on  Big. 

To  Gsoir.  v.a.    (See  Vocah.  v.  To  liaise.) 

This  is  noticed  by  Mr.  Todd,  as  "  an  agricultural  term.** 
He  also  has  the  noun  grower,  which  he  defines — "  A  consid- 
erable farmer.     Now  common  in  many  parts  of  England." 

To  Gus.    (See  Vocab.v.  Gunning.) 

This  verb  is  in  Mr.  Todd's  work,  upon  the  authority  of 
Beaumont  and  Fletcher,  Rule  a  Wife,  8fc.  1  presume,  howev- 
er, it  is  not  now  used  in  England. 

Had  nW  ought  and  Had  ought. 

These  expressions  are  often  heard  (in  conversation)  from 
people,  who  would  avoid  every  other  vulgarism.  The  vulgar 
also  frequently  say,  don't  ought ;  as,  you  don't  ought  to  do  it. 

Illt.    (See  Vocab.) 

This  adverb  is  not  in  Mr.  Todd's  work. 

To  Immigrate  and  Immigration.    (See  Vocab.) 

Both  of  these  words  are  in  Mr.  Todd's  work.  For  the 
first,  he  cites  Cockeram^s  Vocabulary,  and  J^Tovels,  S^c.  1668  ; 
and  for  the  other,  IVartoii's  Hist.  Eng.  Poet.  vol.  i.  sign.  C.  3.  b. 
and  101.    The  noun  Immigrant  is  not  noticed  by  him. 

Imperious  ;  in  tlie  phrase,  i/njsmojis  necessity. 

This  Gallicism  has  been  much  used  by  our  writers  since 
the  French  Revolution.  The  English  commonly  say — over- 
ruling necessity :  "  A  grave  and  over-ruling  necessity  obliged 
them  to  take  the  step  they  took."  Burke's  Reflections  j  p.  44, 
Jlmer.  edit. 

Large.     See  remarks  on  Big. 

I.F.cTuRE-VAr.  Used  in  New  England  for  holiday  j  from  the 
custom  of  excusing  l>oys  from  going  to  school  on  those  week- 
days, when  there  was  a  public  Lecture :  "  All  Constables  may 
and  sliall  from  time  t«  time  duely  make  search,  tliroughout 


the  limits  of  their  townes  upon  Lord's  dayes  and  Ledure-dayes 
in  times  of  exercise. ...for  all  offenders  against  this  law.''  Jla^sa. 
Colony  Laws,  tit.  Innkeepers,  p.  46.  edit.  1660. 

OPPUGNAflON. 

This  word  was  first  brouglit  into  notice  in  the  fallowing 
passage  of  a  well  known  pamphlet,  published  in  New  England : 
*'  Adverse  combinations,  oppugnaiioiis,  disrespect,  i-eproacli 
and  systematic  revilings,  are  (in  the  essence  and  nature  of  the 
crimes)  sedition,  treason  and  rebellion."  Letters  to  the  People, 
by  a  Farmer,  1802.  Since  the  time  of  that  publication,  the 
word  has  been  used  only  by  way  of  ridicule. 

To  PtASf. 

We  often  use  this  verb,  where  the  English  would  employ 
the  verb  to  sow,  and  sometimes  (more  teclmically)  to  set.  AVe 
always  say  to  plant  corn  (that  is,  Indian  corn),  to  plant  pota- 
toes, &c.  But,  in  speaking  of  all  the  smaller  kinds  of  seeds, 
we  say,  as  the  English  do,  to  sow. 
Prairie.    (vSee  Vocab.J 

The  (luurterly  Review  (in  the  account  ofLeivis  Sf  darkens 
Travels)  makes  the  following  remark  on  the  word  Prairie  : 
"  If  this  word  be  merely  a  French  synonyme  for  savannah, 
which  has  long  been  naturalized,  the  Americans  display  little 
taste  in  preferring.it.  But  perhaps  it  may  designate  open  land 
in  a  woody  country,  whatever  be  the  inequalities  of  tiie  ground, 
•whereas  savannah  (literally  a  sheet  of  land)  can  properly  apply 
only  to  a  level."    ^uart.  Rev.  vol.  xii.  p.  528,  note. 

The  most  particular  description  of  these />rfl  tries,  which  I  re- 
collect to  have  seen  in  any  of  our  publications,  is  in  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Harrises  Journal  of  a  Tour  into  the  Territory  A''oylhirei>t  of 
the  Alleghany  mountains  ,•  from  which  the  reader  will  be  able  to 
judge  of  the  necessity  of  this  new  name.  This  accurate  trav- 
eller desciibes  tliem  thus : 

"  The  immense  Prairies  may  be  classed  among  tlic  nafuial 
curiosities  of  this  country.  They  are  of  two  kinds  :  First, 
large  level  spots  of  ground,  where  for  several  miles  tberi-  is  no 
rise  of  the  surface,  nor  any  other  vcgetati(>n  <hnn  woods,  a 


204 

coarse  <rra^"^  a^^fl  cane.  These  grow  hixurianllj,  often  higher 
than  I  in.in's  hca-l.  The  soil  is  dec|iaii(l  ricli ;  hut,  l)cing  of  a 
clayey  nature,  retains  the  water  after  heavy  rains  so  as  to 
a;  jiear  floodotl.  in  some  are  little  clumps  of  trees  on  higher 
ground,  w'  ich  are  calleil  islands.  Herds  of  bufialocs  are  seen 
gra/.ing  on  these  plains;  sometimes  more  tlian  a  hundred  head 
t '  ether.  These  prairies  may  have  been  occasioned  by  theex- 
siccati'j'i  of  lakes  or  vast  morasses. 

"  The  second  kind  are  similar  level  spots,  but  not  in  the  low 
lands:  These  are  rather  immense  plains,  of  a  black  soil,  which 
at  once  absorbs  the  rain  that  falls  upon  it,  so  as  never  to  be  mud- 
dy. These  entirely  resemble  the  vast  steppes  in  the  upper 
parts  of  Russia  and  Siberia,  which  are  described  as  '  extensive 
jdains,  ilry,  elevated,  aid  destitute  of  water;'  there  is  not  a 
solitary  shrub  to  l)e  seen  ou  tliem,  much  less  any  wood,  but  they 
are  covered  with  a  coarse  kind  of  grass."*  p  178, 
ScooL  or  School  (for  Shoal  j  offish.  J^ew  England. 

Tiie  English,  at  the  present  day,  always  say  shoals  offish; 
and,  accordingly  we  find,  in  a  late  English  review  of  an  Amer- 
ican work,  the  word  schools  (which  probably  should  be  written 
scuUsJ  is  noticed  by  being  put  in  Italics.  See  the  review  of 
Farter's  Cruise  in  the  Pacific  ocean  /  Quart.  Rev.  vol.  xiii.  p. 
358.  But,  though  most  JVew  England  men  would  probably 
employ  the  term  schools  in  conversation,  yet  in  writing  tliey 
would  make  use  of  shoals.  The  word  in  question,  however,  is 
not  of  Jimerican  origin  ;  but  we  may  in  this  instance  (as  well 
as  in  the  case  of  the  words  to  advocate  and  freshet  J  plead  the 
authority  of  Milton.  He,  however,  as  well  as  the  older  au- 
thors, tvrote  it  sculls  or  souls  ;  but  it  was,  perhaps,  pro- 
nonnced  scooi,  in  his  time,  as  it  is  in  J\"ew  England  at  the  pre- 
sent day : 

With  fry  innumerable  swarm,  and  shoals 
Of  fish,  that  with  theii-  fins  and  shining  scales 
Glide  under  the  green  wave,  in  sculls  that  oft 
Bank  the  mid-sea."        Milton,  as  cited  by  Johnson. 

*  ♦  Tooke's  Russia,  vol.  i.  p.  74  and  145,  8vo  edition.    Pallas's  Travels, 
vol.  ii.  p.  75.^ 


Dr.  Johnson  speaks  of  this  use  of  the  word  as  a  peculiarity  of 
"  Milton's  style."  Home  Tooke  cites  several  other  writers, 
who  have  employed  the  word ;  and,  after  quoting  a  passage 
from  Shakspeare,  where  it  occurs,  he  adds  the  following  note 
of  Mr.  Steevens  upon  it :  "  Sculls  are  great  numbers  of  fish- 
es swimming  together.  The  modern  editors,  not  being  ac- 
quainted with  the  term,  changed  it  into  shoals,^^  &c.  Diversions 
of  Purley,  Part  ii.  p.  194,  Jimer.  edit.  Mr.  Tooke  himself  af- 
terwards observes  (p.  197)-—*'  The  fislies  come  in  shoals^  sholes, 
or  SCUL3,  which  is  the  same  participle;  so  [in  the  Saxon] 
being  differently  pronounced,  as  sh  or  sk." 

Shingle. 

Mr.  Burnaby  in  his  Travels  in  America  (3d  edit.  London, 
1798)  observes,  that  the  houses  in  this  country  ai"e  covered  with 
shingles  ;  and  then,  as  if  the  term  would  not  be  understood  by 
his  English  readers,  subjoins  an  explanation  of  it — ^'  These  are 
formed  in  the  shape  of  tiles,  and  are  generally  made  of  white 
cedar." 

To  So  IV.     See  remarks  on  To  Plant,  in  this  Supplement. 

STALLED. 

A  correspondent  remarks,  tliat  "  when  a  waggon  has  been 
broken  down,  or  fast  set  in  the  clay  or  mud,  so  that  it  cannot 
be  moved  by  the  team,  they  say  in  the  Southern  States,  that  it 
is  stalled  In  such  cases  the  waggoner  takes  the  rails  from  the 
fences  to  pry  it  out ;  and  tliese  rails  are  called  in  such  cases 
(in  Kentucky,  Ohio  and  the  Western  parts  of  Pennsylvania) 
"  Yankee  screws." 
SfAfioNEsr  (with  an  e)  for  Stationary.  The  goods  of  a  sta- 
tioner. 

This  orthography  of  stationary  was  adopted  many  years 
ago  in  our  ^cts  of  Congress,*  upon  the  supposition  that  it 
was  more  strictly  in  analogy  with  other  words  of  the  kind  ;  as, 
by  the  same  rule  that  we  form  ■milllner-y  from  milliner,  cut- 
ler-y  from  cutler,  &c.  we  ought  to  make  stationer-y  from  sta- 

»  See  the  Acts,  making  the  anrual  appropriations  of  monry  tf)  defray 
the  expenses  of  govemraent,  since  1797. 


2oe 

tioner.  It  may,  however,  be  considered  as  an  elliptical  expres- 
hion,  for  stationary  icares ;  in  which  case  there  would  be  no 
need  of  changing;  the  cstablisl^cd  English  orthography  of  the 
word  ;  which.  1  may  add,  is  the  Jhuerican  also,  except  in  the 
instance  abovemcntioncd. 

ViLiFicAfioy.     "  The  vilijication  of  government." 

I  recollect  seeing  this  extraordinary  expression  once  in  an 
ofikial  paper,  published  under  the  autiiority  of  one  of  the  South' 
em  States ;  but,  I  presume  it  is  not  in  general  use  there,  any 
more  than  it  is  in  the  JS''oi'thern  iStates. 

l'jRD-irA}iD.     Commonly  pronounced  yard-wun. 

This  term  is  still  sometimes  used,  by  old  people,  for  what 
we  now  call  a  yard-stick.  Anciently  (according  to  llorne 
Tooke)  it  was  called  a  mete-yard.  "  By  common  use,  he  adds, 
when  we  talk  of  mensuration,  we  now  omit  the  preceding  word ~ 
mete^  and  tlie  subsequent  icand  ;  and  say  singly  a  yard.^^  Di' 
versions  ofPtirley,  part  ii.  p.  157". 


ESD. 


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